U.S.–Israel talks
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to Israel on Monday, eight days before Israel’s election, amid discussions about potentially resuming major military operations against Iran, Axios reported. Two sources familiar with the visit said he met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz that evening. Reporting placed the meeting at Nevatim Air Base in the Negev.
An Israeli source said UAE representatives attended one meeting; Walla also reported Emirati participation. The Pentagon declined to comment on Hegseth’s travel. The visit followed President Donald Trump’s social media endorsement of Netanyahu as a “Great Warrior Prime Minister”.
Regional air activity and IRGC warning
Separate reports described heavy Israeli Air Force activity over Syria and Iraq, reportedly prompting Iranian jets to scramble and patrol western Iran and eastern Iraq.
In a separate statement, the IRGC said:
“7 main internet cables pass under the Strait of Hormuz, and the enemy should know that we have new targets”.
Hezbollah enforcement and southern Lebanon operations
The IDF accused the Lebanese Army of failing to adequately enforce its responsibilities against Hezbollah weapons and military infrastructure under the 2024 understandings that guided both sides until Operation Roaring Lion. It said shortcomings, including during the army’s 2025 Operation Homeland Shield, allowed Hezbollah to keep operating, entrenching itself and rebuilding.
The IDF cited a weapons storage site near Kfarra, referred to the Lebanese Army through the U.S.-led monitoring mechanism in December 2025. The Lebanese Army said it had addressed the site, but the IDF says Hezbollah continued operating there months later and removed weapons and military equipment to preserve its capabilities.
According to the military, footage shows operatives loading weapons onto a truck that Israeli troops struck after identifying the activity.
The IDF’s Intelligence Directorate alleges elements within the Lebanese Army coordinated with Hezbollah over enforcement activities, helping prevent, delay or thwart operations and giving Hezbollah advance warning to transfer weapons.
Calling for more decisive enforcement, the IDF said Hezbollah dragged Lebanon and its residents into war in Iran’s service during Operation Roaring Lion, launching thousands of rockets, including from south of the Litani River. Under the arrangements described by the IDF, only the Lebanese government and UNIFIL should maintain armed personnel, military assets or weapons there.
Separately, the IDF says 91st Division troops dismantled more than 540 terrorist infrastructure sites, including weapons storage facilities, over recent weeks in Al-Khiam, Tayr Harfa, Meiss El Jabal and Majdal Zoun, within southern Lebanon’s Security Zone.
They located more than 150 weapons, including rockets, RPG missiles, short- and long-range anti-tank missiles, artillery, launchers, Kalashnikov and other rifles, pistols, grenades, explosive devices and magazines.
The IDF said it would continue monitoring Hezbollah’s rebuilding and removing threats to civilians and troops while remaining committed to the ceasefire agreement.
