The IDF ramped up preparations for a possible ground invasion of Lebanon in recent years, anticipating potential large-scale conflict with Hezbollah. These efforts are now drawing renewed attention due to heightened tensions in the region.
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, the IDF increased its readiness level for ground operations in Lebanon as well. All military units slated to take part in a war against Hezbollah underwent advanced training for specific combat missions.
By now, the IDF has completed all prep and is currently on standby for the potential outbreak of war. IDF Northern Command officers told Defense Minister Gallant that forces are ready to launch an invasion of Lebanon in 60 seconds once an order is given. Â
While specific war plans remain classified, military analysts suggest that Israel’s strategy for a Lebanon conflict has evolved since the 2006 war. The IDF is expected to focus on achieving rapid, decisive results through a combination of overwhelming firepower and swift ground maneuvers.
Rapid invasion
According to an earlier report, the IDF intends to quickly mobilize troops to neutralize threats in Lebanese territory. A key objective would be to minimize rocket attacks on Israel by launching ground maneuvers to capture launch sites, a senior officer said at the time.
To achieve this aim, the IDF plans to deploy its Ghost Unit to hunt for Hezbollah rocket cells. Ghost forces will be operating alongside other elite forces, led by the Golani Brigade and other units.
In a wide-scale conflict, the IDF will aim to attain battlefield dominance by mobilizing a large array of combat divisions, Special Forces and elite units into Lebanon. Ground troops will be supported by advanced intel and precision strikes to quickly neutralize enemy capabilities.
This approach will aim to minimize the duration of the conflict while inflicting vast damage on strategic enemy assets. An earlier analysis by two veteran intel officers warned that the level of devastation even in a brief conflict will be unprecedented.
Specialized training site
To prepare for intensive combat, IDF ground forces conducted increasingly complex drills simulating diverse battle and urban warfare scenarios in terrain similar to southern Lebanon.
The IDF also built a specialized training site near the Lebanon border to simulate real-life battle conditions. In addition, Israeli Special Forces trained in Cyprus to adjust to fighting on Lebanese soil.
In 2021, the military held a month-long drill that involved multiple IDF branches and simulated a sudden outbreak of war on the northern front. An earlier five-day exercise featured some dramatic war scenarios.
These and similar drills focused on urban warfare tactics, interoperability between different military units, and rapid mobilization of reserves.
In 2022, the IDF’s 36th Division, responsible for the Lebanon border area, carried out its largest exercise in decades. The drill involved thousands of troops and simulated a multi-front war scenario, with a particular emphasis on combat in densely populated areas.
Lebanon a top priority for IDF
Israel has also invested heavily in upgrading its military capabilities with technologies specifically geared for the challenges of a Lebanon conflict. The IDF focused on enhancing intel-gathering capabilities, employing a combination of satellite imagery, drone surveillance, and AI-powered analytics to monitor Hezbollah activities across the border.
Among other tools, Israel relies on a highly sophisticated intel-collection system to quickly detect enemy targets.
In parallel, Israel’s defense industry introduced major upgrades to tanks and armored vehicles. The newer models feature improved protection against anti-tank weapons, a key threat in any potential conflict with Hezbollah.
Unlike the war in Gaza, which caught the IDF by surprise and with outdated war plans, Lebanon has been the top priority of Israeli military planning for years. Moreover, the IDF gained valuable experience while fighting in Gaza, with many lessons highly relevant for the Lebanese theater as well.
If and when war erupts, the IDF will strike in Lebanon with great force, combining air power and ground maneuvers to hit Hezbollah’s power centers and neutralize its elite Radwan unit.
In parallel, Israel’s home front will be targeted with massive missile and rocket barrages, and possibly a Hezbollah raid into Israeli territory.
