Israeli officials: Expanding operations against Hezbollah is risky

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media + Wall Street Journal
15 Nov 2024 18:23

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Israeli occupation's security officials fear that expanding military operations in Lebanon could lead to a war of attrition.

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Smoke rises to the sky after an explosion on an area at the Palestinian-Lebanese border of the al-Jalil region, occupied Palestine, on Sept. 17, 2024. (AP)

The Wall Street Journal reported that Israeli security officials fear that expanding military operations in Lebanon could lead to a war of attrition.

These officials consider "Israel's" incursion into Lebanon, aimed at pressuring Hezbollah into a settlement, as "fraught with risks."

The report quoted a former Israeli military intelligence chief as saying, "We are losing opportunities to leverage our achievements against Hezbollah," warning that "if we wait too long, Hezbollah could rebuild its capabilities and reject a ceasefire."

IOF reassess tactics following ops on Golani Brigade in Lebanon

In parallel, a report by Maariv underscored that Israeli occupation forces have been forced to reevaluate their military strategies in South Lebanon after a series of successful attacks on the Egoz Unit and the 51st Battalion of the Golani Brigade. This shift comes as "Israel" grapples with ongoing "security concerns" along its northern occupied borders.

Israeli army spokesperson General Daniel Hagari spoke to the public, Thursday evening, providing an update on the ongoing war in the North, as well as in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. This briefing followed a period during which the IOF hid information from the public by refraining from providing updates.

"The Israeli army had been in a standstill for several days with respect to offensive operations in Lebanon," Hagari acknowledged, adding that the recent attacks had prompted a reassessment of military tactics. "In response to these challenges, we are shifting toward greater use of airstrikes, armored vehicles, and artillery," he explained.

The reality of the war, Maariv noted, has placed significant strain on both the military and settlers who had been forced to leave their settlements established atop ethnically cleansed Palestinian and Lebanese villages.

"Israel is not prepared for prolonged wars," said Hagari, adding, "This is not just about exhausting reserve soldiers, it’s far more complex."

Hagari's statement came just minutes after a warning was issued to hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers living in northern cities and settlements, such as Nahariya and Yokneam. The settlers of the aforementioned areas were advised to take shelter due to a drone attack launched from southern Lebanon.

The daily barrage of missiles and drones fired at northern occupied Palestine has drastically altered life in the region, rendering any commercial or recreational activity impossible north of Hadera.

As the situation intensifies, Maariv explained, the life of Israeli settlers has come to a standstill. "People are isolating in their homes as soon as the work or school day ends," Hagari said, highlighting the toll the Hezbollah operations have taken on the daily lives of settlers.

With the prospect of prolonged fighting on the horizon, the Israeli occupation's leadership is focused on rapidly increasing its military capabilities to avoid a drawn-out war of attrition.

"Israel must act quickly and increase its strength. This is the formula for achieving a swift settlement in Lebanon and preventing us from sinking into a quagmire," Hagari emphasized.

Golani Brigade suffers largest losses since inception: Israeli media

Israeli media accused the military of obscuring information and concealing the actual number of deaths the Golani Brigade has suffered in South Lebanon battles, after acknowledging the deaths of seven members: an officer, a commander, and five soldiers, and the injury of several others of the Brigade's 51st Battalion in 48 hours, in an updated toll.

Israeli Channel 12 reported that the preliminary probe into Wednesday's incident confirmed that the Israeli soldiers ambushed after entering a building in South Lebanon were part of an operation carried out by the Battalion's 36th Division.

In detail, the channel revealed that a well-planned ambush was executed after Resistance fighters emerged from a tunnel hole, opening fire at the soldiers from close proximity. The battle, which presumably lasted three hours, ended with the deaths of six Golani Brigade soldiers and one injury as reported at the time.

On Thursday, another confrontation took place in a location not far from the prior, during which a lieutenant and platoon commander were eliminated, while an officer was critically wounded.