🏛️ LEBANON, SYRIA AND ISRAEL ADJUST TO THE HEZBOLLAH THREAT
🕑 Published: July 23, 2026 · 1:40 AM Israel time
🧭 Lebanon and Syria are positioning themselves for a possible confrontation with Hezbollah:
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visited Zawtar al-Gharbiya after the IDF withdrew under the Israel-Lebanon pilot agreement and planted the Lebanese flag as a symbolic assertion of sovereignty.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun presented Washington with a plan to disarm Hezbollah and expand Lebanese army authority. The proposal requests funding, equipment and logistical support while conditioning disarmament on a “complete Israeli withdrawal” from southern Lebanon.
U.S. adviser Massad Boulos described the Trump-Aoun meeting as “very fruitful,” covering military support, economic cooperation and regional coordination with U.S. Central Command. Washington says it has tools to confront Hezbollah but is currently prioritizing implementation of the diplomatic framework.
Trump also directed his administration to permit direct U.S. airline service to Lebanon.
Despite publicly denying plans to intervene, Syria’s security establishment is reportedly preparing contingency operations against Hezbollah. Syrian forces have been ordered to act against Hezbollah activity inside Syria, while Israel has reported increased interceptions of weapons-smuggling attempts through Syria and Iraq.
Baghdad reportedly warned Damascus that intervention in Lebanon would carry direct consequences. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said he rejected a U.S. request to intervene, while Rubio described Hezbollah as an enemy of the Syrian government that is attempting to undermine it.
Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli separately warned that direct contact between Israeli and Turkish forces at sea is a possible near-term scenario.
❌ Repeated civilian incursions are disrupting IDF activity along the Syrian border:
IDF troops detained five Israeli girls near Mount Hermon after they allegedly attempted to cross into Syria. They were transferred to Israel Police for investigation.
The IDF described the incident as a dangerous criminal offense that disrupted operational activity and endangered both civilians and soldiers. It called for decisive law-enforcement action against recurring unauthorized crossings.
The activists are reportedly affiliated with the Bashan Pioneers, which advocates establishing Israeli communities in southern Syria. Similar attempts have increased, although no charges have reportedly been filed in previous cases and some coalition lawmakers have expressed support for the group.
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