Return of Northern Residents to Their Homes
Residents of Israeli communities located up to five kilometers from the border with Lebanon have begun returning to their homes. Return rates vary from community to community. As of this writing, it appears that the return rate ranges from 40 to 70 percent.
Return to Fighting in the Gaza Strip
The ceasefire in the Gaza Strip has ended. On March 18, Israel resumed fighting in Gaza. The Air Force and Navy began striking dozens of targets, including senior Hamas officials, among them the Hamas Prime Minister, two ministers, and the Islamic Jihad spokesperson, who were eliminated. The attacks focused on terror facilities, infrastructure, and headquarters of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. According to senior Israeli officials, Israel will negotiate under fire, and if no progress is made in the negotiations, it will escalate and expand the intensity and scope of the fighting.
In response to the renewed fighting, Hezbollah strongly condemned the Israeli strikes in Gaza and accused Israel and the United States of responsibility for the escalation. Hezbollah reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Palestinian resistance and called on the Arab and Islamic world to expose the “American-Zionist partnership” in the war. The group claimed that Israel would not succeed in breaking Palestinian resistance or erasing the Palestinian cause, emphasizing that Gaza would remain a symbol of dignity and struggle.
At this stage, Hezbollah does not appear to be planning any active measures beyond its public condemnation.
The Houthis: Renewal of Launches Against Israel
On the evening of March 18, the Houthis launched a ballistic missile towards Israeli territory. According to the Houthis, the missile was launched towards the Nevatim area. The IDF successfully intercepted the missile at high altitude, far from Israeli territory.
The Lebanese Arena
IDF Activity in Lebanon:
The Israeli Air Force conducted an attack on March 11 in the Nabatiyeh area of southern Lebanon, targeting Hassan Abbas Az Aldin, who was in charge of the air defense system within Hezbollah’s ‘Badr’ unit. Hassan Abbas served as a central knowledge hub in Hezbollah’s air defense system and led the efforts to rehabilitate the system after it was significantly damaged during the war. In recent months, Hassan Abbas continued to advance the system’s attempts to acquire new weapons, which pose a direct threat to Israeli aircraft.
In addition, on March 11, the IAF also attacked Hezbollah operatives who were apparently transferring weapons in the Paroun area of southern Lebanon.
The IDF carried out an attack on March 13 targeting Hezbollah infrastructure used for the production and storage of strategic weapons. The site was located in the eastern Bekaa region of Lebanon, between Nabi Chit and Brital, south of Baalbek. At the complex, Hezbollah manufactured and stored advanced weapons, including precision weapons. The complex is close to the border with Syria and weapons smuggling routes (marked with red arrows). The complex has been attacked twice before: on May 16, 2024, and February 6, 2025. Hezbollah is trying to renew and rehabilitate the activity there.
The IDF conducted an attack on March 15 between Kfar Kila and Burj al-Muluk, eliminating a Hezbollah operative who was transporting weapons in his vehicle.
Above: Muhammad Ali Sheet from Kafr Kila, a Hezbollah operative who was killed on March 15 in his vehicle.
On March 16, the IDF attacked and eliminated two Hezbollah operatives who were conducting intelligence gathering observations. The attacks were in the Yatar area and the Mays al-Jabal area in southern Lebanon.
On March 16, light weapons fire from Lebanon hit a vehicle in the community of Avivim. Apparently, these were shots fired during the funeral procession of a Hezbollah operative in the village of Maroun el-Ras. The vehicle was hit in the parking lot of the Avivim winery, less than three kilometers from Maroun al-Ras. This winery suffered several direct hits during the war and was completely burned down.
Despite the attempt to explain this as stray fire, this is not a minor incident, as it indicates the presence of Hezbollah operatives in the villages adjacent to the border fence in southern Lebanon, walking around armed in broad daylight. This is a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement and one that highlights the ineffectiveness of the Lebanese army and UNIFIL in enforcing it (see article on the subject).
In response to the above incident, the IDF attacked a Radwan Force headquarters and structures used by Hezbollah in the Aynata area of southern Lebanon.
In the Yohmor area of southern Lebanon, on March 17, the IDF carried out another attack, eliminating two Hezbollah militants involved in intelligence gathering, observation operations, and the direction of terrorist activities.
Lebanon General:
New Commander for the Lebanese Army and a Series of Senior Appointments
On March 13, the Lebanese government announced the approval of the appointments of the heads of the security organizations in Lebanon: the army and the three security organizations.
Rudolph Haykal was appointed commander of the army. He served as commander of the Operations Brigade in the army, and before that served as commander of the Southern Litani sector (we published an article regarding the Haykal’s appointment on March 11). Furthermore, the appointments of Brigadier General Hassan Shaqir as head of the General Security Organization, Brigadier General Adgar Lawandos as head of the State Security Organization, and Brigadier General Raad Abdullah as head of the Internal Security Forces were approved (an article on the appointments will be published by us separately).
On March 14, Brigadier General Nicholas Thabet was appointed as the new commander of the Southern Litani sector – “Sector 1701” (see our article on his appointment).
Damage to the Electricity Infrastructure in Lebanon as a Result of the War
The World Bank report published on March 17 estimates that the war damage to the energy sector in Lebanon amounts to $307 million, of which $98 million is in direct damage to electricity grid facilities and electricity conversion stations (high/low voltage), and $209 million in indirect damage, including lost revenue and non-collection of payments. Although the war in 2024 did not directly damage the power plants, it caused severe damage to the transmission and distribution networks, with 23% of the 65 conversion stations out of use.
Israel Releases Five Lebanese Prisoners
On March 11, Israel released four Lebanese detainees through the Rosh Hanikra crossing – Hussein Qataish, Muhammad Najm, Ahmed Muhammad Shoker and Hussein Fares. The Lebanese soldier Ziad Shibli who was also in Israeli custody was released. The Lebanese presidency announced that the release was made possible following negotiations within the framework of the ceasefire monitoring committee.
In the following video, you can see the reception of the released prisoners as they wave Hezbollah flags and pictures of Hassan Nasrallah.
Hezbollah General
Hezbollah’s Aid in Honor of the Month of Ramadan
In the Sidon sector, Hezbollah’s community division provided a summary of the second week of Ramadan’s activities by its social aid committees, which focused on distributing food, meals, medical care, financial aid, and clothing to those in need. According to the report, 10,423 activities were carried out, assisting 12,555 people, at a total cost of $122,002.
In the Bekaa sector, Hezbollah launched the “Al-Abbas” project, which includes the distribution of food aid in the villages of the sector.
In addition, Hezbollah’s Islamic Health Organization began a medical campaign for Syrian refugees in several areas.
Shiite Duo (Hezbollah and Amal) Coordination for the Upcoming Lebanese Municipal Elections (May 2025)
The pictures in the background of the meeting are of Khomeini and Musa al-Sadr, and on the left, Khamenei and Nasrallah.
Hezbollah and the Amal movement usually run on a joint list. The picture shows one of the coordination meetings between the two that took place in Bekaa on March 16. The participants at the meeting stated that the cooperation between the two movements would aim to benefit the region, emphasizing their strong partnership.
The Palestinians in Lebanon
Iranian Aid to Palestinian Refugee Camps in Honor of Ramadan
On March 15, the Iranian Embassy in Lebanon held the launching ceremony of the “Annual Ramadan Basket,” intended to assist Palestinians in their refugee camps in Lebanon. One of the trucks that was on its way to the Palestinian refugee camp Al-Badawi in Tripoli was stopped by local Sunni residents who confiscated the goods – see the attached video.
Hezbollah Arrested Suspects of Aiding the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Organization
On March 18, documentation was published on social networks, according to which the Hezbollah organization arrested 18 people, including women and children, in the Al-Salam neighborhood in the southern suburbs of Beirut. According to reports, they were arrested on suspicion of aiding the new Syrian regime and belonging to the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham organization (the organization that was previously headed by the new Syrian president, Ahmed al-Shara). If this information turns out to be correct, it may indicate a possible escalation that could contribute to fueling internal tensions in Lebanon and may even affect the exchanges of fire that have recently occurred in the border area between Syria and Lebanon, in which crime and drug organizations affiliated with Hezbollah are participating.
The Syrian Arena
IDF Activity in Syria:
On the night of March 10-11, Israeli Air Force fighter jets conducted attacks in southern Syria, targeting radars and detection equipment used for aerial intelligence gathering, as well as Syrian regime command centers and military sites containing weapons and military equipment.
On March 13, the IAF attacked the headquarters of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) organization in the Syrian capital, Damascus:
In recent years, the PIJ established its main headquarters in Damascus, which was also the residence of the PIJ leader – Ziad Nakhala and the head of the military wing (“Saraya al-Quds”) – Akram al-Ajouri. In light of the developments of the war and the fall of the Assad regime, their current location is unknown, and they may be in Iran. The PIJ is known for its very close ties with Iran and Hezbollah, and during the war, it operated in close cooperation with Hezbollah. The PIJ operations department sent PIJ operatives to Lebanon to carry out terrorist activity from Lebanese territory against Israel under the auspices of Hezbollah. Before and during the war, the PIJ, with Iranian funding, recruited both Palestinians and local Syrians to carry out terrorist activity against Israel from Syrian territory as well. The PIJ continues to try to plan and carry out terrorist activity against Israel from Syrian territory, and it does not appear that the new regime in Damascus is preventing this. On March 13, Israel attacked one of its headquarters in northwestern Damascus.
On March 17 and 18, the IDF conducted attacks on several military targets in southern Syria, specifically in the Deraa and Khan Arnabah areas. These targets contained weapons and military equipment from the old Syrian regime, which the current regime is attempting to recommission.
Syria General:
Agreement with the Kurds
An agreement was signed on March 10 between the new Syrian regime and the SDF to integrate Kurdish forces and institutions within Syria.” The agreement ensures Kurdish representation and the return of refugees on the one hand, while transferring control of the borders and energy infrastructure to the new regime on the other (see more in an article published by us).
Mass Celebrations Marking the Syrian Revolution
On March 15, 2025, Syria celebrated the 14th anniversary of the Syrian uprising and revolution, for the first time since the fall of the Assad regime. In December 2024, after 61 years of Ba’ath Party rule and 53 years under the Assad family, the regime of ousted President Bashar al-Assad fell. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians participated in demonstrations and celebrations in various cities, including major celebrations in Damascus. The demonstrators waved the new Syrian flag and carried signs calling for accountability for the Assad regime and for achieving justice for the regime’s victims. At the same time, a Syrian army military helicopter participated in the celebrations, dropping flowers and distributing leaflets congratulating the Syrian people on the freedom achieved.
Above: Flyers distributed along with the flowers from the helicopters “From you, with you and for you…we are the people’s army.” “From barrels of death to flowers of life”…
Exchanges of Fire on the Syria-Lebanon Border
In recent days, exchanges of fire have renewed between the forces of the new Syrian regime and Hezbollah supporters and smuggling gangs operating in the border area between the two countries. As you may recall, a few weeks ago (February 2025), the regime conducted a round of fighting lasting several days against these forces as part of its attempt to strengthen its hold on the border area and combat the smuggling industry there. However, the intensification of the fighting between the parties led to the intervention of the Lebanese army, which even carried out an air strike against targets in Syria.
Signing of the Draft New Syrian Constitution
On March 13, the President of Syria, Ahmed al-Shara, signed the draft constitutional declaration, which will become the permanent constitution for the country in the transition period.
Seizure of Weapons Shipment En Route to Hezbollah
On March 13, the Internal Security Forces of the new regime in Syria seized a truck loaded with weapons and ammunition in the town of Khirbet al-Tin Nour in the western rural area of Homs.
The truck driver and one of his escorts managed to escape through the mountainous roads, while his associate was arrested and transferred to the investigation center in the city and admitted that the weapons were on their way to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Ninth Brussels Conference in Support of Syria
The Ninth Brussels Conference in Support of Syria, held on March 17, focused on strengthening economic and humanitarian support for Syria and the goal of a “successful transition” on the civil and political level. The conference was held by the European Union Commission under the title “Standing by Syria: Addressing the Needs for a Successful Transition.” Representatives from many countries, international organizations, and financial institutions were present at the conference.
At the conference, financial commitments worth €5.8 billion were announced, intended to support the reconstruction and transition process in Syria and the region. The European Union declared the allocation of €2.5 billion for the years 2025-2026, including €720 million for 2025. Germany pledged to contribute €300 million for use in Syrian institutions and support for humanitarian services, while the Aga Khan Development Network – AKDN (Ismaili – a Shiite Islamic stream, an organization that is an international development network working to improve the quality of life in developing countries through initiatives in the fields of education, health, culture, economy and community development) pledged to finance €100 million for the rehabilitation of areas such as education, health, and culture.
In addition, France declared that it supports a political transition in Syria but will oppose easing the penalties for members of the previous regime.
Financial support will focus on essential services such as water, electricity, education, and health services, alongside assistance to refugees and host countries.
Qatar Begins Supplying Gas to Syria for Electricity Production
On March 18, Qatar began supplying natural gas to Syria through Jordan as part of a project intended for three months with the possibility of extension, aimed to improve electricity production in the country. The gas will be supplied in a quantity of 2 million cubic meters per day, which produces 400 megawatts of electricity. The project is expected to increase electricity supply hours by 3-4 hours per day in most areas of Syria, which have actually experienced power outages of up to 20 hours per day in recent years.
