Israel & Lebanon

[ORAC]

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https://x.com/ThetiMapping/status/20...614699252?s=20

​​​​​​​Over the past 2 days the IDF has advanced deeper into Southern Lebanon along 3 particular attack vectors. These penetrations share a common denominator: Israeli infantry and armored vehicles were able to push towards rear positions after taking over a towns that served as forward fortresses near higher-elevated portions of the Lebanese border.

Once IDF consolidated control over those towns they "unlocked" access to roads and ridges that conncted to the next targets. This approach of infiltrating at depth has its drawbacks as the attacks occur along narrow routes, meaning the advancing convoys haven't fully secured their flanks. This could lead to ATGM ambushes, and it leaves Israeli infantry/vehicles more exposed to mortar and FPV strikes.

> 146th Division advanced along the Tyre coastal road, passing through western Naqoura and the abandoned town of Iskandarounah in the process. They advanced at least 7.5km past the Lebanese border, making it to the southern outskirts of al-Bayada. Hezbollah claimed they ambushed and landed direct hits on Israeli forces that made it all the way to the western outskirts of Shamaa, near the UNIFIL 2-3 outpost.

> In tandem the 226th Reserve Paratroopers Brigade is advancing through western Aalma ash-Shaab towards the heights surrounding the Jijim hamlet. The goal is to establish forward positions on a ridge that is on similar elevation to Hezbollah's strongholds in Tayr Harfa. This Israeli pincer manuever has now left Hezbollah's vanguard forces in Hamoul and the northeastern outskirts of Naqoura in a compromised position.




> The 162nd Armored Division has largely been deployed to the western sector of the Lebanese border (84th Givati Brigade is still operating around Khiam). The 401st Armored Brigade is advancing from al-Qouzah to the southern outskirts of Rchaf.

> The furthest extent of their infiltration so far has been to Khillet Al-Jawhar, where Hezbollah claimed they were able to direct hit an Israeli force. Hezbollah also says they hit 2 Merkavas within Debel itself, but without visual proof or a statement from the locals I won't mark Israeli presence inside the town's center. It's likely the 401st Brigade did pass through the northern outskirts of Debel as they approaching Rchaf, though.



> Some of the deepest infiltrations were seen on the Touline axis due its proximity to highly-elevated Hezbollah ATGM/mortar positions on the northern bank of the Litani River. For instance Hezbollah anti-tank fire killed 1 soldier from the 77th Battalion of the 7th Armored Brigade and wounded 4 other crewmembers of a Merkava tank, likely in Taybeh. The missiles were launched from a height north of the Litani.

> The 36th Division used their forward positions in al-Faqaani to push westwards into Deir Seryan. They were met with stiff resistance from the vanguard cells of the Radwan Unit & Nasser Division. During these close-quarters clashes Hezbollah killed an Israeli soldier from the 631st Patrol Battalion of the Golani Brigade. IDF has entered most of the town, reaching as far as the local pond.

> The 7th Armored Brigade is likely responsible for the deepest advance of the war (9.5km) into western al-Qantara. The armored assault into the town occurred along the Taybeh-Qantara road, leaving both the northern and southern flanks exposed to hit-and-run attacks. Hezbollah attacked infantry gatherings, Merkava tanks, and D9 bulldozers with rockets and RPGs. IDF has entered most of the town, including the town square, the northern mosque, a vocational school, and the reservoir.

> Overnight the 36th Division advanced as deep as the Wadi Al-Hujair Nature Reserve & Valley. Israeli forward outpostsin al-Qantara are significant as they provide access to rear towns such as Qoussair (IDF is advancing towards this town from the south today).