Destruction as Defense: Israel's new border doctrine in southern Lebanon

Israel’s post-Oct. 7 security shift along the Lebanon border centers on denying Hezbollah the ability to threaten Israeli towns. In El-Khiam, the IDF demolished a Hezbollah hub, uncovering tunnels and underground command sites and signaling a move from deterrence to active denial—pushing Hezbollah away from the border, maintaining a forward defense, and keeping civilians protected by preventing return to areas deemed too risky.