Ex-IOF chief of staff says Hezbollah firepower among top in the world
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The former chief of staff of the Israeli occupation forces says few countries possess Hezbollah's firepower, indicating its military prowess.
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Israeli soldiers gather in front of a gate of a military base following a deadly shootout in southern occupied Palestine along the Egyptian border, Saturday, June 3, 2023 (AP)
In a recent interview with Israeli media outlets, former Israeli occupation forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot discussed the strength of Hezbollah and highlighted that Hezbollah possesses one of the strongest firepowers in the world.
Eisenkot told Israeli Channel 12 that "only a few countries in the world possess the firepower that Hezbollah possesses," affirming that "Italy, Germany, and several European countries do not possess such capabilities."
Meanwhile, former Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee chairman Avi Dichter said "Israel" adheres to the red lines set by Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, which include refraining from carrying out attacks on Lebanese territory and avoiding any interference with Hezbollah fighters.
Israeli media discusses Hezbollah's strength and "Tel Aviv's" concerns regarding it on a daily basis. One notable report published in the Israeli newspaper Makor Rishon highlighted the occupation's fear of increasing Iranian and Hezbollah capabilities while the occupation's deterrence erodes.
"After a decade in which Iran was largely isolated and besieged, it has become a powerful regional force that is recognized, and its alliances with China and Russia are a cause for concern, as is its new rapprochement with some Arab countries," the Israeli newspaper news website said.
The newspaper also pointed out that the Megiddo incident in southern Lebanon last March and the launching of rockets toward occupied Palestine had a clear significance, indicating that Israel's deterrence had been eroded.
"In the event of any escalation with Lebanon, while Israel will respond with full force, its strategic response will be weak and inadequate," the report underlined.
"Israel is not prepared for a war against Iran and is preoccupied with tabloid news rather than engaging in arduous preparation for the impending war," the report added.
The newspaper underlined that the Israeli occupation needs to take the increasing arsenal of precision missiles possessed by Hezbollah into consideration as a significant strategic threat, on par with Iran's nuclear program.
"Hezbollah fighters have been increasingly active near the borders in recent times, establishing dozens of observation points, intensifying patrols, and openly monitoring and documenting the movements of Israeli forces," the report concluded.
Israeli concerns are growing as Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah repeatedly stressed on various occasions, including the Resistance and Liberation Day, that any major war would include all borders with hundreds of thousands of soldiers taking part in it.
Israeli media quoted military officials saying there were no signs of an imminent war, "despite the negative developments," in regard to the Iranian nuclear file and the issue of Hezbollah.
Israeli media also communicated deep frustration in military spheres over the statements made by the AMAN (Israeli military intelligence) in regard to Hezbollah, describing the statements as "unnecessary".
Aharon Haliva, AMAN chief, had said that the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is "close to making a mistake that might lead to a major war."
He added that the growing confidence that the Syrian president is developing in allowing Iranian drones to operate from his country "creates the potential for a major escalation in the region."
"Any military incursions in the northern region, whether from Lebanon or Syria, may lead to an escalation and potential clash between Israel and Hezbollah."
