News Digest — 1/8/26
Lebanese Army Claims Operational Control South Of Litani River Outside IDF Controlled Area
The Lebanese Army stated on Thursday (8th), that outside the Israeli controlled areas, it had achieved operational control south of Lebanon’s Litani River, had moved into “an advanced stage” of monopolizing arms in the area, and was committed to ensuring that armed actors are never again able to use the border area as a staging ground for military actions.
The statement reaffirms the army’s commitment to being the sole actor for maintaining security in Lebanon, with an emphasis on the area south of the Litani River.
To this end, Lebanon’s army claimed “that its plan to consolidate weapons has entered an advanced stage, following the effective and tangible achievement of the objectives of the first phase on the ground.”
According to the army, having completed the initial phase, it has gained full operational control south of the Litani River, with the exception of those areas under the control of the IDF.
The statement has not mentioned Hezbollah, which agreed to a ceasefire with Israel in November 2024 after the IDF decimated its ranks, upper command, and infrastructure. The agreement stipulated that only Lebanon’s state security forces were allowed to carry arms.
Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah began again after the group began launching attacks on Israel, October 8, 2023, in solidarity with terrorist groups in Gaza after the Hamas-led massacres in southern Israel sparked the Gaza war.
A Lebanese security source told Reuters that the statement signaled that no group would be able to launch an attack from southern Lebanon.
Nevertheless, since the start of the ceasefire, the IDF has repeatedly struck at Hezbollah operatives working to reestablish the group in southern Lebanon.
In November of last year, the IDF stated that it had killed over 370 Hezbollah combatants since the ceasefire agreement went into effect a year earlier.
Additionally, sources in the IDF’s intelligence directorate last month told Walla that it was clear within several months of the implementation of the agreement that the Lebanese Army was unable to exert power over Hezbollah.
Further, the directorate noted that Hezbollah “double agents” had infiltrated the army’s ranks.
Gideon Sa’ar : International Community Must Condemn Syria Violence
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Thursday morning (8th) condemned the Syrian regime’s attacks on Aleppo’s Kurdish minority, calling on the international community to speak out.
“The attacks by Syrian regime forces on the Kurdish minority in the city of Aleppo are severe and dangerous,” he warned. “The international community in general and the West in particular have a moral duty toward the Kurds who fought bravely and successfully against ISIS,”
Sa’ar also noted that, “The systematic and murderous oppression of various minorities in Syria contradicts the promises of a ‘new Syria.’ Silence from the international community will lead to an escalation of violence by the Syrian regime.”
On Tuesday (5th) the Prime Minister’s Office commented on the recent talks with representatives of the Syrian government in Paris.
After a period of several months, diplomatic dialogue between Israel and Syria resumed with American backing and support,” the PMO stated. “The dialogue took place as part of President Trump’s vision for promoting peace in the Middle East, during which Israel emphasized the importance of ensuring the security of its citizens and preventing threats to the borders.”
Israel reiterated its commitment to promoting regional stability and security and to the need to promote economic cooperation for the benefit of both countries. It was agreed to continue the dialogue to promote common goals and maintain the security of the Druze minority in Syria,” the PMO statement concluded.
Earlier, Israeli journalist Barak Ravid reported that an Israeli official expressed satisfaction with the talks and said that the Syrian side agreed to meet more frequently to reach agreements quickly and that both countries would undertake confidence-building measures, in addition, both countries expressed a desire to reach a security agreement under Trump’s vision for the Middle East.
Gefen Bittom, Israeli Critically wounded in Bondi Attack, Flown To Israel
Gefen Bitton, an Israeli living in Australia who was critically wounded when he tried to confront one of the gunmen during the Bondi Beach Hanukkah massacre last month, was flown to Israel on Wednesday (7th) for further treatment, according to a report in Hebrew media.
Bitton, an Israeli national who worked in Australia for the past three years as a garage door mechanic, appeared in dramatic footage from December’s attack alongside Ahmed Al Ahmed, who wrestled a weapon from one of the two gunmen and aimed it back at one of the two attackers.
In the footage Bitton is seen in a red shirt running toward Ahmed and the shooter before Ahmed manages to wrestle the gun away, in other clips, Bitton later falls to the ground, apparently at the moment he was shot. Fifteen people were killed in the attack, which was the country’s worst mass shooting in almost 30 years.
According to the Ynet News site, Bitton – whose condition has improved but is still serious – traveled to Israel Wednesday evening (7th) in a medical transfer.
A friend told the Australian Jewish News on Monday (5th) that Bitton was still in ICU. “We’re seeing small improvements daily, as he slowly wakes up.”
The newspaper said that Bitton awoke from his coma in recent days, three weeks after he was shot.
The Australian paper also reported that he was visited earlier Wednesday (7th) in the hospital by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
According to local news outlets, Bitton was granted permanent residency by Australia for his heroism.
Meanwhile, a group of Australian Labor party members was urging Albanese to rescind his invitation to President Isaac Herzog to visit the country, the UK’s Guardian reported Wednesday (7th).
After the Bondi attack, Albanese invited Herzog to visit the country, which the president quickly agreed to. The date of the visit has not yet been announced.
Labor Friends Of Palestine, a group of rank-and-file party members, issued a statement opposing Herzog’s visit, saying the Israeli president has “actively supported and enabled a long list of the gravest violations of international law,” during the war against the Hamas terror group in Gaza, claiming he “worked hand-in-hand with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Albanese, defending his invitation, said at the time it was “entirely appropriate for the head of state to visit.”
Israel had accused Albanese and his government of encouraging anti-Semitism by permitting anti-Israel activity to flourish, as Australia has been home to massive protests against the Jewish state. Since the war in Gaza began with the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 terror onslaught, there have been dozens of instances of anti-Semitic attacks and vandalism on Jewish sites.
IDF Chief: New Strategy Focused On Possibility Of Surprise War
Israel’s Defense Forces Chief of Staff LTG Eyal Zamir told local leaders Tuesday (6th) that Israel’s ability to fight future wars depends on home-front, and that the military preparedness is enhancing readiness for a potential surprise conflict.
Speaking at the “Leaders on the Home Front” conference alongside Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Home front Command Chief MG Shay Kalper, Zamir said the military is developing a new strategy focused on the possibility of a surprise war and has drawn operational lessons from the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas massacre.
Zamir said the army has revised alert levels and operational orders, addressed gaps and now launches offensive measures against emerging threats along Israel’s borders.
He vowed that no terrorist or proxy groups would be allowed to “wallow” on the frontier.
He praised local authorities and the Home Front Command for their joint response during “Operation Rising Lion,” the 12-day war against Iran in June, saying their work on the front line of the home front gives the IDF the quiet it needs to act where necessary.
“We will know how to prepare and act in the face of various developments, we are preparing for surprises. Preparedness for war is our compass, we act at all times to safeguard the security of the state of Israel and its citizens,” said Zamir.
Kalper called the Israeli home front ”the strongest in the world,” and said the conference aimed to boost readiness, incorporate lessons from recent municipal debriefings and prepare professional, courageous leaders in all scenarios.
“We are in a historic period, we are dealing with challenges we have not experienced in the past, and you are the leaders,” he said, adding that “the home front has become the frontline, and professional, courageous leadership is needed here, and we are preparing for all scenarios.”
“The common basis for all of us is partnership. The Home Front Command is at the front, with everyone together, that is how we will be able to save lives,” said Kalper.
In Covert Operation, Israel Transferred MDA Ambulances To Druze In Syria’s Sweida Region
Israel has quietly extended its humanitarian assistance to Syria’s Druze community, transferring five refurbished Magen David Adom ambulances earlier this week to the Sweida region in a covert operation carried out under heavy secrecy, according to information obtained by Ynet.
The ambulances were fully equipped with medical gear and handed over to Druze civilians to enable emergency medical treatment and raid response in crisis situations, officials said.
The move comes amid broader Israeli efforts, involving the state, the IDF and members of Israel’s Druze community, to assist Druze populations in southern Syria who Israel views as under threat from the regime of Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara’a.
Earlier this week, The Washington Post reported that Israel has also provided military assistance to Druze forces in Sweida. According to the report, which cited about 20 Israeli, Western and regional sources, Israel supplied roughly 500 rifles, ammunition and protective vests to what is described as the “Druze Military Council” in the area. The bulk of the transfers reportedly took place in April, during clashes between Druze fighters and forces loyal to al-Shara’a.
The report said the assistance slowed in August, when talks began with the al-Shara’a government over a potential security arrangement that has yet to materialize, amid Israeli doubts about the Druze fighters ’objectives.
The Washington Post also reported that Israel provided monthly payments of $100-$200 to about 3,000 Druze fighters and has continued to airdrop equipment, including protective gear and medical supplies. Druze leaders in Syria told the newspaper the support has weakened al-Sharaa’s ability to consolidate control in the region.
Separately,Ynet reported last month that 17 young Druze men from Sweida are expected to undergo specialized training in Israel to become firefighters. The program includes professional instruction, equipment and a new fire engine, with the goal of establishing a fire station in the Druze region of southern Syria upon their return.
The firefighter training initiative is being led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in coordination with the National Security Council. Israeli officials have said that beyond humanitarian considerations, Israel views its ties with the Druze community – including families across the border – as a strategic relationship.
