Israeli navy on edge, high alert ahead of Hezbollah retaliation

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
8 Aug 2024 12:47

A military affairs analyst at the Israeli news website Walla suggests that Hezbollah could target Israeli military vessels in a scenario similar to the 2006 July War.

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This picture taken on October 12, 2022, shows a view of Sa'ar 5-class corvettes of the Israeli navy moored at the military port of Haifa in northern occupied Palestine. (AFP via Getty Images)

In the wake of Hezbollah's threats to retaliate for the assassination of one of its top commanders, Israeli experts and analysts have outlined possible scenarios for the nature of the response that the Lebanese Resistance group intends to direct toward "Israel".

Concerns about an escalation have intensified after "Israel" assassinated top Hezbollah commander Sayyed Fouad Shokor (Hajj Mohsen) in an airstrike in Haret Hreik, the Southern Suburb of Beirut, hours before it assassinated the head of Hamas' political bureau Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital Tehran.

Amir Bohbot, a military affairs analyst at the Israeli news website Walla, said that Hezbollah is unlikely to target infrastructure in the maritime arena, such as drilling platforms, due to fears of an Israeli response that could damage infrastructure in Lebanon.

However, he noted that it is highly likely the Lebanese group may attempt to target vessels, similar to its missile attack on the INS Hanit (503) Sa'ar 5-class corvette during the 2006 July War or target naval bases.

The Israeli analyst cited sources in the Israeli security establishment as saying that the Israeli military has not only fortified its defensive capabilities but is also prepared for a range of attack scenarios, including potential "surprises".

Bohbot also touched on Sayyed Shokor's career, noting that the latter was one of the closest figures to Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and one of the most influential militarily and played a significant role in operational plans that included attacks on the Israeli internal front across a variety of scenarios.

Fouad Shokor, a senior military commander and Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's close confidant was targeted by "Israel" in the Southern Suburb of #Beirut, #Lebanon, on Tuesday evening.

Here's everything you need to know about him. pic.twitter.com/9kM0IscQr7
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 31, 2024

He cited Israeli sources as saying that as Chief of Staff of Hezbollah, Sayyed Shokor prioritized the development of the Lebanese Resistance group's naval power, with a focus on the maritime arena and Israeli ships.

Bohbot emphasized that for more than a decade and a half, Hajj Mohsen has been involved in building elite diving units, which are highly secretive, and in developing seafaring vessels with the capability to operate above and below water, including autonomous suicide vessels, anti-ship missiles, and untraceable drones capable of operating in the maritime arena.

The analyst recalled that in June, Hezbollah published footage filmed by one of its drones of the Haifa port, which showed missile ships and Dvora patrol boats docked at the naval base "to embarrass" the Israeli military and to mark future targets.

The Military Media for the Islamic Resistance in #Lebanon published a lengthy video of a reconnaissance drone surveilling vital and sensitive regions in northern occupied #Palestine to Haifa.

🧵1/4 pic.twitter.com/snzuHym3Hn
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 18, 2024

In light of the "extreme scenarios" that have been simulated by the Israeli General Staff, the level of alert in the navy has been raised. At the same time, detection and warning systems have been enhanced, according to Bohbot.

Additionally, drills with Israeli intelligence, communications, and Air Force have been conducted, and ties with the US military have been strengthened.