Former Mossad official urges forceful Lebanon strikes against Hezbollah, warns against all-out war

Oded Eilam, former head of the Mossad's counterterrorism division, urged Israel to strike any Hezbollah activity in southern Lebanon forcefully, while avoiding a declaration that the ceasefire has ended. He warned against targeting senior figures or attacks in Beirut's Dahiyeh neighborhood, and cautioned against all-out war. Eilam also criticized US President Donald Trump, citing his business bankruptcies and the 2020 Taliban agreement as evidence of a pattern of abandoning commitments.

Oded Eilam, former head of the Mossad's counterterrorism division, told 103FM on Thursday that Israel should strike any Hezbollah activity in southern Lebanon forcefully and without restrictions, while avoiding a declaration that the ceasefire has ended. He warned against targeted killings of senior figures and attacks in Beirut's Dahiyeh neighborhood, saying these would break the rules of the game. Eilam stressed the importance of continued talks with Lebanon, despite their unexpected end on Wednesday, arguing they lend legitimacy to the idea of a single sovereign authority in Lebanon. He also criticized US President Donald Trump, citing his business bankruptcies and the 2020 Taliban agreement as evidence of a pattern of abandoning commitments. The interview followed the deaths of two IDF reservists, Maj. (res.) Harel Birenstock and Sgt. Maj. (res.) Tamir Vaknin, in an explosive device blast in southern Lebanon.