'Israel' in toughest of times, strategic goal unachieved: IOF official
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War with Lebanon "will not be easy" and this fact should never be taken for granted, IOF Brig. Gen. Avigdor Kahlani told Israeli broadcaster Channel 12.
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Israeli soldiers drive in their armored vehicles in the southern occupied territories near the border with the Gaza Strip during ongoing ground invasion, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024 (AP)
In an interview with Israeli news broadcaster Channel 12, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Brig. Gen. Avigdor Kahlani said that the regime is presently living through its toughest times since its inception and that every settler is called to have "nerves of steel, for without that we won't last for too long."
Kahlani, who also served as Israeli Minister of internal security, stated that "Israel's strategic goal has still not been achieved," noting that war with Lebanon "will not be easy" and that this fact should never be taken for granted.
Touching upon Israelis' evacuation from northern settlements, Kahlani estimated that about 80,000 settlers "are not planning to return until we address the lingering problem there," adding that "Israel must bring them all back."
Read more: 'Israel' proceeds with buffer zone plan despite intl. prohibition: AP
On a similar note, Channel 12's correspondent in the North Menachem Horovitz said that expecting a situation of absolute calm and stability to be restored is currently not feasible as the regime "is incapable of ensuring that, neither in the south nor in the north."
Meanwhile, the Lebanese resistance continues to target Israeli positions and forces along the border with the occupied territories. Orly Yitzhak, the financial director of "Kibbutz Almanara" reported that "103 houses have been damaged by Hezbollah's rockets out of about 155 houses in the settlement, which roughly accounts for 70% of the total homes in the Kibbutz"
Israeli media reported on Thursday that "over 500 houses and buildings have suffered damage from Hezbollah's rockets since the beginning of the war." Reports highlighted that the extent of the damage varied, ranging from partial to complete damage.
Read more: South Africa FM accuses 'Israel' of violating ICJ measures
In light of these circumstances, Israeli media acknowledged a significant decline in the regime's deterrence capabilities, especially considering the series of failures on the northern frontlines. These deficiencies had already become apparent since the July 2006 war and became even more pronounced with the outbreak of the war in Gaza last year.
Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom mentioned that "all that is needed is one shell a day to keep the North on its toes", whilst some Israeli circles are debating the establishment of a buffer zone inside "Israel" instead of Lebanon, along with the evacuation of northern settlements.
Multiple Israeli sites targeted by Resistance
Hezbollah announced earlier in the day that its fighters carried out four operations against multiple Israeli occupation military sites and gatherings.
In a statement, Hezbollah mentioned that at 09:00 AM, its Resistance fighters targeted the surveillance equipment at the al-Radar site in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms with appropriate weapons, achieving a direct hit.
At 3:55 PM, the Islamic Resistance attacked the Al-Samaqa site in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms with missile weapons, hitting it directly.
At 4:12 PM, Resistance fighters targeted the al-Ramtha site in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms with missile weapons, causing a direct hit.
Elsewhere, Hezbollah confirmed that at 9:30 PM, its fighters targeted the "Zar'it" barracks with rocket weapons, achieving a direct hit.
