Arabic Mein Kampf, pictures of Ayatollah Khamenei found in homes – IDF pushes further into southern Lebanon as ceasefire fails to materialize

The IDF conducted several waves of strikes across Lebanon over the weekend, increasing military pressure in an apparent push to bring about a ceasefire agreement that will stabilize the northern front and push Hezbollah forces north of the Litani River. 

So far, despite U.S. and Western efforts to negotiate a deal, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah has failed to materialize. 

The Israeli Air Force (the IAF) carried out several airstrikes across a wide range of Lebanon, including Beirut, Tyre, Nabatieh, Baalbek and the Litani River area. The IAF appears to be prioritizing Hezbollah leaders, rocket launch sites, and other key elements of the terror group's infrastructure. 

In addition to aerial strikes, the IDF sent ground troops further into Lebanon than at any point in the current war. Israel ground forces recently reached as far as 6 to 7 kilometers (about 4 miles) from the Israeli border, conducting operations in villages the IDF had not yet covered.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi held a situational assessment around Kfarkela in southern Lebanon, along with the commanding officer of the Northern Command, Maj.-Gen. Ori Gordin, the commanding officer of the 91st Division, Brig.-Gen. Shai Klapper, and other commanders. 

“Hezbollah has paid a big price, its chain of command has collapsed, many of its operatives have been killed, and extensive infrastructure dismantled,” Halevi said.

“This organization will continue to fire, and we will continue to fight, to implement plans, to go further, conduct deep strikes, and hit Hezbollah very hard. We will stop when we know that we are bringing back the residents (of northern Israel) in safety.” 

The IDF chief and the head of the IDF Northern Command are seen strolling in Lebanon.

Hezbollah, how did you let this happen? pic.twitter.com/E17V777jlC

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) November 16, 2024

The IDF Spokesperson's Office announced that fighters from the Haruv Patrol [combat reconnaissance] are conducting operations in southern Lebanon for the first time since the establishment of the unit, under the command of the combat team of the Northern Nahal Brigade (228).The Haruv Patrol arrived in Lebanon after several operations in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. 

Haruv forces raided a number of targets in villages in southern Lebanon, locating a shaft leading to underground infrastructure. Nearby, they discovered a depot containing weapons, ammunition, and motorcycles, seemingly prepared for a planned raid on the Galilee.

Combat engineering forces destroyed the underground infrastructure, weapons depots, military structures, and munitions. 

Fighters from the Duvdevan Unit, part of the Commando Brigade which specializes in counter-terrorism operations, have also been operating in Lebanon. The unit was deployed in Lebanon after extensive time in Judea and Samaria (West Bank) and in the Gaza Strip.

Fighters from Duvdevan told Ynet News that they found pictures of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in many of the houses. In some homes, they reportedly found photos of Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In one home, the soldiers found an Arabic translation of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf. 

“In one of the living rooms, we even found a copy of Mein Kampf, Hitler’s book,” the soldiers told Ynet. “Parts were underlined and highlighted inside as if someone had studied it line by line.” 

One of the soldiers said that fighting in Lebanon is different than in Gaza – which is very flat, with tight compact streets – or in Judea and Samaria, where homes are densely packed together. 

“Here in Lebanon, it’s very mountainous and the distance between houses is greater,” he explained. 

Over the past few days, troops from the Commando Brigade, operating under the command of the 91st Division, have carried out limited, localized, and targeted raids in southern Lebanon. These operations focused on areas used to launch missiles and rockets toward Israeli communities.

The troops located and destroyed launchers, short-range rockets that were intended to strike the communities of the Galilee area, guns and additional weaponry.