Pilot on the Brink of Collapse? Lebanese Army Escalates Tone Against Israel

The Lebanese army issued an official statement accusing Israel of delaying the pilot in southern Lebanon, using the term 'Israeli occupation forces'. The statement claims Israel continues attacks and violations of agreements, including house demolitions and shelling. Israeli officials expressed skepticism about the pilot's success from the outset.

The Lebanese army issued an official statement on Sunday accusing Israel of delaying the completion of the pilot in southern Lebanon, which began last week. Under the pilot, IDF forces committed to withdrawing from three villages to allow the Lebanese army to enter, under American supervision. The statement said that 'the Israeli occupation forces continue their attacks and violations of existing understandings and international laws, through systematic destruction of houses, shelling, and machine-gun sweeps'. It also noted that the attacks are delaying the army's deployment and preventing the return of residents. The statement mentioned an incident where Israeli forces fired near Lebanese forces; an IDF spokesman said it was warning fire into the air after a Lebanese force was identified crossing the security zone in violation of agreements. As reported by the channel, Israeli officials, including former 8200 commander Hanan Gefen, expressed skepticism about the pilot's success from the outset.