Israeli news website “Walla! News” quotes Israeli security sources saying that the fall of Lebanon brings “Israel” closer to war, discussing “Israel's” view on the US support for the Lebanese army.

Below is the article translated into English:

The severe economic collapse in Lebanon and the power vacuum created in the country are putting the security system on alert.

While Iran and Hezbollah are working to expand their foothold in the country, a senior security official warns that the explosive situation the Land of the Cedars has reached brings Israel closer to a confrontation with its neighbor. "The third Lebanon war is a matter of time," he said.

According to the source, Hezbollah has begun subsidizing food and fuel products and opening an ATM network exclusively for Shiite citizens. Meanwhile, the banking system is collapsing and gas stations are jumping in prices due to the acute shortage in the market. For example, civilians opened fire this week after not being allowed to refuel vehicles.

The same source pointed to several dangerous processes taking place in Lebanon in the past year, the most prominent of which is the continued development and progress of Hezbollah's precision missile project that threatens the Israeli home front in general and strategic facilities such as power plants, water infrastructure and symbols of government. 

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Simultaneously, Hezbollah continues to arm itself with air defense systems that threaten the Israeli Air Force's work in Lebanon and the region as a whole. "This is a very worrying issue," the senior official said.

According to the same source, no progress has been made concerning the sea borders negotiations between Lebanon and Israel in light of the former’s political situation, which does not allow progress without Hezbollah's consent. The military organization, for its part, is preventing the Lebanese government from compromising on the issue of dumping large amounts of garbage in front of the Lebanese side of Metula, but in a harmful way to the residents. This comes following Iranian pressure on the issue, despite the involvement of UNIFIL forces.

Another issue of great concern to the defense establishment is the Lebanese army. According to the security source, the disintegration of the Lebanese army due to current problems will strengthen Hezbollah and help it take control of weapons systems such as tanks, planes, and weapons.

Furthermore, the senior official confirmed that messages had been sent to senior US administration officials, requesting the support and strengthening of the Lebanese army to prevent the creation of another security vacuum in which Hezbollah and Iran would quickly enter.

The security source referred to the IDF's expected readiness in the event of a war with Hezbollah, saying that "the army should strengthen its capabilities for many reasons, including Hezbollah's lethal capabilities and the complexities of armed confrontation in a country requiring the implementation of a deep ground maneuver."

The Barrier At The Border

Meanwhile, Security Minister Benny Gantz and Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman will promote plans to end the Lebanese border barrier in the coming year. 

This plan will come at the cost of a billion shekel, in an attempt to prevent Hezbollah from carrying out its threat, which includes an extensive raid on villages near the border fence as well as IDF positions.

The barrier will include engineering operations, a high wall, a new fence in sensitive locations, and advanced technological systems.

As for the issue of protecting northern homes, the Cabinet Council will hold an in-depth discussion before next September, during which it will debate the implementation of the "Northern Shield" plan.