The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they are very close to taking complete control of the city of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, one of the main symbols of power for the Hezbollah group
According to the military statement, more than one hundred Hezbollah operatives were eliminated in recent fighting in the region.
Bint Jbeil holds special significance for Hezbollah.
In May 2000, after the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, the group’s then-leader, Hassan Nasrallah, gave a victory speech in the city’s stadium, stating that Israel was “weaker than a spider’s web.” During the 2006 Lebanon War, Israeli troops fought fierce battles there but failed to completely capture the city.
Now, in 2026, the situation is different: Israeli forces have surrounded the city in recent weeks, isolating the area to prevent reinforcements from arriving or escaping, and have launched a ground offensive.
The operation is commanded by the 98th Division, with the participation of the Paratrooper Brigade, Commandos, and the Givati “”Infantry Brigade.
Soldiers have engaged in close combat, air strikes, and commando operations, destroying dozens of terrorist infrastructures and finding hundreds of weapons.
The stadium where Nasrallah spoke has been taken by Israeli troops.
The division commander, Brigadier General Guy Levy, wrote to his soldiers: “In Bint Jbeil 2000, someone spoke and boasted of webs and spiders.
Today, that man no longer exists, the stadium is gone, and his words are worthless.
In Bint Jbeil 2026, our forces control the area, destroying terrorist infrastructures and dozens of terrorists.”
Before the operation, it was estimated that at least 150 Hezbollah members, including members of the elite Radwan force, were in the region.
Since the start of the offensive, no rocket launches from the city against Israel have been recorded, although Israeli troops have still been targeted by Hezbollah gunfire, rockets, and drone attacks – with the intensity gradually decreasing.
Several Israeli soldiers were injured, including two paratroopers in moderate condition after a rocket attack on Sunday.
The action is part of a larger campaign to expand Israeli control in southern Lebanon, after Hezbollah broke the ceasefire that had been in effect since November 2024. Fighting in the city is expected to continue for several more days, with the aim of eliminating the last remaining operatives and locating other structures belonging to the group.
This offensive comes as Israel and Lebanon prepare for direct talks in Washington, scheduled for this week, amid international efforts to stabilize the region.
Published in 04/13/2026 17h28
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
Reference article:
- https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-says-close-to-capturing-hezbollahs-historic-bint-jbeil-stronghold/