The IDF has reduced its deployment in southern Lebanon from eight brigades to six by withdrawing four brigades and inserting two replacement units, Army Radio reports. The drawdown included the release of many reservists and was described as a move to ease manpower strains. Col. (res.) Oren Zini warned against any premature withdrawals, citing the 2000 pullout under Ehud Barak as an example of risks associated with early withdrawals.
IDF Pulls Four Brigades From Southern Lebanon, Reduces Deployment From Eight To Six
IDF soldiers operating in southern Lebanon, published April 13, 2026; illustrative. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON
Army Radio reported Thursday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have reduced their deployment in southern Lebanon from eight brigades to six, withdrawing four brigades and replacing them with two units. The drawdown also included the release of a substantial number of reservists.
The brigades that left southern Lebanon were identified as the Commando Brigade, the Golani Brigade, and two reservist formations: the 55th Paratrooper Reservist Brigade and the 4th Armored Reservist Brigade. In their place, the 188th Armored Brigade and the Ground Forces Training School Brigade entered Lebanon and have taken positions along the border, Army Radio said.
IDF soldiers operate in southern Lebanon, published July 15, 2026. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
A military source told Army Radio the reduction is aimed at easing manpower pressures and allowing reservists to return home as conditions permit. The report did not provide detailed timelines for further force adjustments.
Context and concerns: Earlier this month, Col. (res.) Oren Zini, former commander of the Tze'elim Training Base, warned in an interview with 103FM against any agreement that would require the IDF to withdraw from positions in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon before its missions are complete. He invoked the 2000 withdrawal from the security zone in southern Lebanon under then-Prime Minister Ehud Barak, saying the pullout allowed enemy forces to escape and left behind equipment.
"If we do not maintain our hold in these areas, the enemy will escape with its forces and munitions, and we won't be taken seriously," Zini said. "We saw what happened when we left the security zone. Not everyone will like hearing this, but that year 2000 effort under Ehud Barak looked like one big retreat. I was there. We left equipment and weapons behind, and pulled out at the drop of a hat."
IDF imagery captioned "IDF soldiers operate in southern Lebanon" was published July 15, 2026 (Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit). 103FM also contributed to reporting on this story.
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