It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Baalbek Roman Ruins gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Lebanon, IN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“best people at there”
“Great staff!! Caring people!”
“I think it’s one of the best companies there’s always someone ready and willing to go help people with great attitudes! Anyone that wants to live at home but needs a little extra help should definitely get someone from this company at your home to help out!”
“Working for Always Best Care has been very rewarding for me to help others in need. Whatever my questions may be or any help I need as a health care provider for my client they have always came through with help.”
“Very compassionate caregivers!”
“Great staff. Well trained and kind people.”
“The Beache’s Family are great people and I would trust my mom’s well- bean in their hands”
“Natalia has experience taking care of people with Alzheimer and I would be very trust my dad’s safety if they taking care of him.”
“They offer a wide range of services with professional, organized individuals willing to help care for members of your family.”
“Exceptional staff and very caring. I know my loved ones are taken care of which gives me a peace of mind. Definitely recommend!”
“Mr. and Mrs. Beach are the owners of this location, and they are some of the most caring and dedicated people I have ever met. They truly want to help people get the best care for their loved ones. My grandmother would have loved to have care like this.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve Qehmez Entrance with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Ritage Garden or visit Moussa Castle, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Lebanon, IN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Lebanon, IN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Lebanon, IN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
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Lebanon has a number of new restaurants that have recently opened, are getting close to opening or changing how they do business.
Adding restaurant choices has been a priority for Mayor Rick Bell and Economic Development Director Sarah Haston.
Here's an update:
Olivia Cocktail & Oyster Bar: Nick and Audra Guidry officially opened the restaurant at 112 E. Main St. on the town square in December. The concept focuses on craft cocktails, a curated wine list and finger seafoods like baked oysters and peel-and-eat shrimp, with some cured meats and cheeses. The Guidrys are also involved in the ownership of Pelican & Pig in East Nashville, Slow Hand Coffee + Bakeshop in East Nashville and Lebanon, and Leon's Famous Deli in Mt. Juliet.
The Goat: The Lifestyle Communities restaurant is part of a mixed-use plan approved in Lebanon that includes about 590 multifamily units on Franklin Road, south of Interstate 40 and near South Hartmann Drive.
Plans are to break ground on the project in either the first or second quarter of 2025, according to Lifestyle Communities. A completion estimate was unknown.
Chipotle Mexican Grill/Chase Bank: A site plan has been approved to construct a 5,658-square-foot building that would house both a Chipotle Mexican Grill and Chase Bank in the Hickory Ridge shopping center anchored by Publix on State Route 109. The Planning Commission's approval did not include a requested variance about trash dumpster placement.
Tim Hortons: Business owner Naren Patel is moving forward on a new Tim Hortons franchise at 1459 W. Main St. near an Arby's and another on the corner of South Hartmann Drive and Franklin Road that would be part of a future commercial development called Franklin Corner.
Franklin Corner would also include Teriyaki Madness, Dosbros Fresh Mexican Grill, a liquor store and a BP gas station at 1500 Franklin Road, Patel said.
Patel estimates opening the Tim Hortons on West Main in the second quarter of 2025. The location at Franklin Corner is estimated to open in the third quarter of 2025.
Hangry Joe's Hot Chicken & Wings: The Nashville-style chicken franchise opened in December as part of the Western Plaza redevelopment along West Main Street, owner Sam Patel said. Hangry Joe’s has several spice or heat levels that start with no heat or seasoning and max out at "angry hot" with chicken sandwich, chicken fingers and chicken waffle listed as the brand's top menu items.
East Nashville Beer Works: The East Nashville Beer Works expansion in Lebanon opened in its new 16,000-square-foot production facility and taproom on Callis Road in October 2024. The Lebanon brewery, near State Route 109 just south of Interstate 40, includes a 30-barrel brew system, brewery and taproom, and beer garden. A full bar is offered in the taproom, with an outdoor bar and an upstairs mezzanine area with a bar that will also be available for rent, co-owner Anthony Davis said. The original brewery opened in 2016 on Trinity Lane in Nashville and will remain open.
Aubrey’s Restaurant: Work is underway for a 7,636-square-foot restaurant and patio at 1648 W. Main St., after the City Council and the Industrial Development Board unanimously approved a $1.5 million incentive. A second $500,000 installment is tied to a completion date of May 1. Aubrey's is established in East Tennessee with multiple locations.
In-N-Out: The West Coast burger brand has initial site plan approval to build on 3.45 acres at the corner of South Hartmann Drive and Franklin Road. The company did not project an opening date but stated in an email that In-N-Out has been working with the city in the pre-development phase and restaurant construction itself usually takes around nine months.
Waffle House: A site plan is approved for a new, 1,840-square-foot restaurant at 20 Blair Lane near West Main Street. A tentative estimate from the company is to open in spring, but the timeline is subject to change.
Jonathan’s Grille: The latest plans for a new restaurant that will be part of a mixed-use development on the northwest corner of Hartmann Drive and Barton Village Boulevard is to start construction after another future Jonathan’s Grille opens in Jackson, estimated for March. Hopes are to open around October, co-owner Mason Revelette said.
Split Bean Roasting Co.: Split Bean closed its business on the Lebanon square in September after opening in 2018 with plans to move to a space on West High Street in Lebanon. However, the move wasn’t going to be cost-effective and owner Chris Cox has been “working to restructure our business model” to focus on direct to consumer shipping orders from the website and expanding retail and corporate partners locally and outside the state. Split Bean is the roaster for the Black Sheep Cafe & General Store inside The Mill at Lebanon. Split Bean is also available at the Corn Crib Health Store and Puckett Supply Co., Crazy Gnome Brewery in Nashville and Modern Revival in Watertown, Cox said. Split Bean will also do select public and private events with its mobile trailer. Online orders are at www.splitbeanroasting.com.
Lebanon Coffee House: A new coffee-based business opened in late November at 110 E. Main St., where Split Bean Roasting Co. was previously located.
The business description says it intends to be a coffee and prayer house and is an extension of the Lebanon House of Prayer, which has operated for about three years on an upstairs floor.
Husband and wife Chad and Brooke Seabright are the owners. Hours are 6 a.m.-2 p.m., with coffee and specialty drinks, breakfast bowls and breakfast sandwiches and deli style sandwiches and soups for lunch.
Prayer time is 7-8 a.m., and there is a stage for music.
Reach Andy Humbles at [email protected] and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.
This story was updated to add a video.
Lebanon has issued a notice of intent to declare default on the contractor of its new soccer complex as a way to move the project forward after continual delays, according to the city.However, the company building the complex said the project has been affected by changes in the design though it believes work can finish in March when the spring soccer season starts....
Lebanon has issued a notice of intent to declare default on the contractor of its new soccer complex as a way to move the project forward after continual delays, according to the city.
However, the company building the complex said the project has been affected by changes in the design though it believes work can finish in March when the spring soccer season starts.
The soccer complex is the first phase of a new Lebanon sports park on U.S. 231 south of Interstate 40. The first phase includes five full-size fields that can be divided for younger age groups and lights that will provide more game times for the Wilson United Soccer Club.
Lebanon's notice of intent to declare default is with Relyant's bonding company, the city's Public Works Commissioner Jeff Baines said, noting that the maneuver could lead ultimately lead to contract termination, but the city hopes to work with Relyant officials directly on plans to finish the complex.
Relyant Chief Strategy Officer Alix King issued a statement that included while the company was hired to build the sports complex by the city, Lebanon has utilized a separate firm for design.
"While we take great pride in the work performed for the people and City of Lebanon, the project has experienced design changes," King's statement included.
Lebanon expected to be playing on the new fields last fall, and now the spring season is in jeopardy, Baines said.
"Termination doesn't benefit anybody," he said. "We anticipate discussing how we can finish this project in a timely manner."
Relyant stated the project is 90% finished and in partnership with the city anticipates "that the city and community will be utilizing the sports complex the first weekend in March, as planned," King's statement included.
“My priority is the community and finishing the Lebanon Sports Complex, which may or may not include Relyant Global," Lebanon Mayor Rick Bell said. "We continue to be disappointed with the progress on the remaining items that need completion before we can open the sports complex."
Three natural grass and two artificial surface fields are completed, but construction still needs to be finished on the concession and restroom facilities and the parking lots, according to the city. A left turn lane on U.S. 231 South also must be completed before play can begin, Baines said.
Wilson United has, up until now, played at Lebanon Municipal Airport on three and a half full fields without lights. The airport fields are called Vulcan Materials Soccer Complex.
Wilson United President Al DiPasqua estimates the league will welcome around 1,700 recreation players with a waiting list of 200-400 players and around 425 select players this spring. Exact numbers are expected in the next week or so, DiPasqua said.
Games begin March 22, and practices are set to start in the coming weeks, he said. Wilson United is planning "as of now," to start at the airport fields, but is hoping to be at the new complex as soon as possible, DiPasqua said.
Relyant previously filed a $1.3 million lawsuit against Lebanon that said change orders from the city raised the cost price of the park project. Lebanon and Relyant have agreed to a price increase of just over $434,000 with the difference to be reviewed and a determination to be made later, Baines said.
Bell recently announced plans to begin the design of a second phase of the Lebanon sports complex that will include baseball and softball fields. The initiative is part of the mayor's second term in office.
Reach Andy Humbles at [email protected] and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon concluded her two-day visit to the Lebanese capital. During her consultations with political leaders, she reaffirmed her support for the country’s transition. She also visited the field to see how concrete Slovenian humanitarian aid projects are being implemented.“Slovenia supports Lebanon in its political transition and in the delicate phase of a prolonged ceasefire. Maintaining peace is crucial for Lebanon and the region. There is a glimmer of...
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon concluded her two-day visit to the Lebanese capital. During her consultations with political leaders, she reaffirmed her support for the country’s transition. She also visited the field to see how concrete Slovenian humanitarian aid projects are being implemented.
“Slovenia supports Lebanon in its political transition and in the delicate phase of a prolonged ceasefire. Maintaining peace is crucial for Lebanon and the region. There is a glimmer of hope that things are moving in the right direction, but in recent days, the US plans to take over Gaza and relocate the Palestinians have caused additional concern. Slovenia and Lebanon are working closely together, especially on development aid projects that help stabilise the situation and the return to normal life. Lebanon is very grateful to Slovenia for its help and solidarity, and for its constructive attitude in the UN Security Council,” Minister Fajon reported on the consultations in Beirut. She met with the newly elected President Joseph Aoun, President of the National Assembly Nabih Berry, Foreign Minister Abdallah Rashid Bou Habib and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam. Minister Fajon reiterated her support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which is an important element of stability, especially in the south of the country, as well as for the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), which currently has two Slovenian observers.
In Beirut and the surrounding area, Minister Fajon visited three humanitarian project sites that receive financial support from Slovenia. She visited the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC), which Slovenia has been supporting for several years in cooperation with ITF Enhancing Human Security. Cleaning up areas contaminated with explosives is crucial for the security of the Lebanese people. Minister Fajon declared future support to the Centre with demining and psychosocial support for victims.
The other two projects focus on supporting vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, who have traditionally been at the forefront of Slovenia's development and humanitarian efforts. During her visit to the safe house for women victims of sexual violence, the Minister heard the moving stories of women who have turned to the safe house for help. With the support of Slovenia and in cooperation with Caritas Slovenia, the women receive comprehensive care and much-needed legal, health and psychosocial support.
Minister Fajon also visited the school where, with Slovenia's help, activities are organised for women who have been victims of violence and their children. The Lebanese NGO Naaba, with the help of its Slovenian partner, Institute Circle, offers psychosocial help, support and care for women and children, many of whom are refugees from Syria. “I am glad that Slovenian aid in Lebanon is reaching those who need it most. This proves that Slovenia can provide concrete help and contribute to the stabilisation and normalisation of life in Lebanon, whose economy has also suffered a severe blow. Our aid shows our solidarity not only with the Lebanese people, but also with the Syrian people, as there are around two million Syrian refugees living in Lebanon,” said the Minister after her visit to the project locations.
JERUSALEM—Israel has been secretly building military outposts in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip as part of a plan to create buffer zones along its northern and southern borders.The construction has taken place at four or five strategic locations up to about two kilometers, or more than a mile, into southern Lebanon as well as at a number of points on Israel’s side of the de facto border but outside the security barrier. Dozens of outposts have also gone up as far as about one kilometer into northern and eastern Gaza.Isr...
JERUSALEM—Israel has been secretly building military outposts in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip as part of a plan to create buffer zones along its northern and southern borders.
The construction has taken place at four or five strategic locations up to about two kilometers, or more than a mile, into southern Lebanon as well as at a number of points on Israel’s side of the de facto border but outside the security barrier. Dozens of outposts have also gone up as far as about one kilometer into northern and eastern Gaza.
Israel's push to fortify the buffer zones, which has not been previously reported and was confirmed to the Washington Free Beacon by current and former Israeli officials and reserve soldiers, is based on an assumption that the U.S.-brokered ceasefire deals in Lebanon and Gaza are unlikely to endure. Israel believes the two zones—as well as a third one that the military openly maintains in southern Syria—are necessary to protect its border communities, which have been devastated by terrorism over the past 16 months of war.
"Israel's new doctrine is that we will not withdraw from these buffer zones unless someone else comes in who can credibly deal with the threat," Amir Avivi, a former Israeli brigadier general turned influential military strategist, told the Free Beacon, referring to the Iran-backed terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah and the Islamist rebels who seized power in Syria last month. "Hezbollah needs to be dismantled in Lebanon, Hamas needs to be out of Gaza, and Syria needs to be liberal and democratic. As long as these things don't happen, Israel is going to stay in the perimeter."
Israeli defense minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that Israel will "indefinitely" hold the buffer zone in Syria, which the military moved into after the fall of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December.
"The IDF will remain at the summit of the Hermon and the security zone indefinitely to ensure the security of the communities of the Golan Heights and the north, and all the residents of Israel," Katz said during a visit to the Syrian side of Mount Hermon.
Israel conditionally agreed to a complete withdrawal from southern Lebanon in a ceasefire deal with Lebanon in late November and at least a partial withdrawal from Gaza in a hostage-ceasefire deal with Hamas in January. But neither Lebanon nor Hamas appeared likely to meet Israel's conditions.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced last week that Israeli troops would not withdraw from southern Lebanon by the Sunday deadline because "the ceasefire agreement has yet to be fully enforced by the Lebanese state," which has committed to disarm Hezbollah. Lebanon agreed to extend the deadline until Feb. 18. Meanwhile, senior Hamas official Taher Nounou reiterated on Monday the group's intent to hold onto power in Gaza, something Netanyahu has repeatedly said Israel will not abide.
Avivi, who has advised the Israeli government throughout the war, said defense minister Israel Katz told him about the construction of the buffer zone on both sides of the Lebanon border during a three-hour meeting on Tuesday. According to Avivi, Katz was "unhappy" that the Lebanon ceasefire agreement does not allow for such a zone and the defense minster wants to renegotiate the terms of the deal.
An Israeli legislative aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Free Beacon that outgoing Israeli military chief of staff Herzi Halevi said during confidential testimony before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday that Israel was building four to five outposts in southern Lebanon.
"In addition to more fortifications, bases, and forces on our side of the border, there are also going to be IDF soldiers staying in Lebanon for the time being because of the understanding that Hezbollah will return to all those areas if the IDF isn't there," the aide said, referring to the Israeli military by its initialism. "I think it's pretty obvious to everyone that the Lebanese Army and the United Nations are unable or unwilling to prevent Hezbollah from reorganizing, regrouping, rearming, and resettling those areas."
According to the Knesset website, Halevi told the committee, "There must not be a major threat close to the border, and this must be enforced very strongly."
An Israeli reservist in the 226th Paratroopers Brigade who asked not to be identified told the Free Beacon that he served from October to January in a newly built outpost north of the security barrier but inside Israel. He said he was aware of at least two other such outposts along the border’s western sector.
The Israeli daily Maariv reported on Sunday that Israel had begun building a line of military outposts to protect each of Israel's northernmost communities, including between the border and the security barrier north of Kibbutz Misgav Am in the east.
"The IDF will build the outposts in such a way that the forces will have significant firepower that includes mortars, rocket launchers, and machine guns," reported military correspondent Avi Ashkenazi. "At the same time, each outpost will have the capability to observe deep into [Lebanon]."
Hezi Nehama, a former Israeli colonel who led a battalion in Gaza during the war, told the Free Beacon that Israel has undertaken a similar project in Gaza, building more than 50 outposts and other fortifications, like tank ramparts and sniper posts, along the strip's northern and eastern borders.
"And they are working on new ones," he said.
Several current and former Israeli officials, including Avivi and Nehama, told the Free Beacon that whereas Israel wants to leave all of Lebanon as soon as possible, Gaza is a different matter. The buffer zones in the strip will have to become part of an Israeli military occupation, the Israelis said.
"I would say the chances are high that in the near future there will be no alternative to Israel enforcing security and preventing Hamas from reorganizing," Yuli Edelstein, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and a member of the ruling Likud party, told the Free Beacon. "It doesn’t mean that we are not searching for some other force to rule Gaza, but there are not too many volunteers. I guess Gaza doesn’t have a very good reputation in the Arab world."
According to Avivi, Katz is committed to resuming the war in Gaza once the ceasefire inevitably collapses. Avivi said Israeli leaders are also serious about encouraging emigration from Gaza, an idea that President Donald Trump has championed in recent days. But, Avivi added, much remained uncertain about the course of the war.
He predicted that Netanyahu's meeting with Trump at the White House on Tuesday "will answer a lot of questions."
Spokesmen for Netanyahu and Katz and spokeswomen for the Defense Ministry and the Israeli military declined to comment.
Sarit Zehavi of the Alma Research and Education Center explained the reality of Hezbollah's current capabilities and the importance of showing resilience at this time.Hezbollah was prepared for an invasion and as the ceasefire with Israel nears its end, the Lebanese terrorist group is already calling for its members to come back to south Lebanon, Sarit Zehavi, founder of the Alma Research and Education Center, told Tamar Uriel-Beeri at The Jerusalem P...
Hezbollah was prepared for an invasion and as the ceasefire with Israel nears its end, the Lebanese terrorist group is already calling for its members to come back to south Lebanon, Sarit Zehavi, founder of the Alma Research and Education Center, told Tamar Uriel-Beeri at The Jerusalem Post's Israel's North: Looking Forward conference.
"It was very clear that Hezbollah was prepared for an invasion," Zehavi said.
"During the IDF offensive, [Hezbollah] launched between 100 to 200 rockets every day to Israel's North. The IDF, in the very few kilometers where they maneuvered in south Lebanon, pulled out tons of munitions that were prepared for the Hezbollah invasion of Israel."
The ceasefire managed to end the fighting, but while most of the IDF troops have already left Lebanon, some have stayed behind trying to prevent Hezbollah from returning to southern Lebanon, causing friction.
"This is a well-planned provocation of Hezbollah to call its people to come back to the towns and villages of south Lebanon," Zehavi noted.
As Zehavi noted, the deal was that "within 60 days, the IDF will withdraw from Lebanon and the Lebanese Armed Forces will commence its implementation of disarming Hezbollah within those areas. This means there is no deadline for the disarmament of Hezbollah in south Lebanon. There is only a deadline for the IDF withdrawal from south Lebanon. This is not a balanced agreement."
However, it is possible to bring change in Lebanon. Currently, Zehavi noted, Lebanon has a new prime minister who needs to form a government.
"The government cannot include Hezbollah anymore," she said. "This is something that is a thorough term and condition to bring change in Lebanon."
The next step would be to find a way to stop the flow of money to Hezbollah, something Zehavi thinks is possible.
"The banks of Hezbollah are still active and illegal in Lebanon. This must be stopped," she said.
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Lastly is finding a way to stop the Iranian involvement in Lebanon.
"We must make sure there is no Iranian involvement in Lebanon, and that the Iranians are not sending money or military assistance," she said.
Furthermore, the new leadership in both Lebanon and in the US has made a stronger opening to create change.
"We can improve the terms and put pressure on Lebanon to implement the agreement," she said. "We can do it. We can do something better."
However, Zehavi warned, none of this will actually get rid of Hezbollah, and this wasn't one of the goals of the IDF offensive.
"Hezbollah will not disappear completely," she said.
All Israel can do, Zehavi explained, is to create red lines to discourage Hezbollah from crossing them, enabling a return of calm and quiet to Israel's North.
Fortunately, while Hezbollah hasn't disappeared, their capabilities to conduct major operations in the North have been diminished, though they still have rockets and can fire around 100 rockets a day at the North. Since the capabilities have been diminished though, she stressed it was important for the residents to come back home to the North.
"What Hezbollah wanted to show... is that the residents of south Lebanon are coming back. They are resilient," Zehavi said. "We are also very resilient. We need to show to the Lebanese that we are coming back, that we are not giving up on the North."
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