IDF Commanders Detail 7th Brigade’s Eight-Month Lebanon Campaign

The IDF published an account on November 3 of the 7th Brigade combat team’s eight-month campaign in Lebanon, with commanders describing large Hezbollah tunnel systems and the work needed to move infantry, tanks and engineers through rocky terrain. The interviews followed the force’s return to Israel and describe earlier operations, rather than a new advance announced today. Commanders from Golani’s Battalion 13, armored Battalion 75 and combat engineering Battalion 603 described a formation whose units had already fought together in Gaza. Battalion 13’s commander, identified as Lt. Col. M., said: “Battalion 13 and Battalion 75 already know each other very well.” After preparations at the end of February, the force crossed into Lebanon on March 8 and attacked the Rabb al-Thalathine area. At Qantara, about 8 kilometres from the border, infantry opened a route for tanks exposed to anti-tank fire. The commanders described one underground system extending hundreds of metres and another nearly 2 kilometres long. They said the tunnels contained accommodation rooms, a kitchen, toilets and electricity for lengthy stays. Battalion 75’s commander, Lt. Col. A., said the larger systems could hold hundreds of operatives. Battalion 603’s commander, Lt. Col. R., described rocky ground that required substantially more explosives than comparable work in Gaza. Engineers spent months preparing routes and clearing obstacles, mines and explosives for movement toward the Litani, Yohmor ridge and Beaufort area. The account also describes Battalion 13 crossing the Saluki on foot and conducting a night raid toward Ghandouriyeh.