The Israel Defense Forces say they anticipated that Hezbollah would join the fighting if conflict with Iran escalated and had prepared operational plans in advance. Military officials describe a strategic objective to significantly weaken and ultimately disarm Hezbollah, viewing the current escalation as a rare opportunity to dismantle the organization through sustained strikes on both Hezbollah and Iranian-linked targets.

According to Israeli assessments, Hezbollah is operating under increasingly difficult conditions, with what officials call a near-total disconnect between Iran and the group. While recent missile barrages from Iran and Lebanon have appeared coordinated, Israeli intelligence says there is no confirmed evidence of direct operational coordination, suggesting Hezbollah fighters may be reacting independently to widely visible early warning alerts.

Israeli forces have conducted hundreds of strikes across Lebanon, targeting launchers, command centers and senior operatives, and have carried out nightly ground raids in frontline villages to establish a demilitarized security buffer zone. Officials say the goal is to push Hezbollah’s firing positions northward, prevent infiltration south of the Litani River and reduce threats to Israeli civilians, while maintaining readiness for a prolonged conflict.