Northern front huge challenge; Hezbollah strikes swift, precise

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
7 Nov 2023 10:17
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The northern settlement of "Kiryat Shmona" is currently without adequate protection, as per Israeli media.

A picture taken from southern Lebanon near the border with occupied Palestine shows a fire that reportedly ignited after a shell fire from “Israel” in Alma al-Shaab, on October 30, 2023. (AFP)

Israeli media continue to report about the Israeli occupation’s concerns over the Northern Front with Hezbollah, stressing that it constitutes a “huge challenge” for the occupation.

Channel 12 military correspondent Nir Dvori said, “The north constitutes a huge challenge that we cannot address alone, because we must ensure, with or without a battle, that Hezbollah does not remain on the border.”

For his part, the head of the Regional Council of the Upper al-Jalil, Giora Salz, confirmed in a radio interview, “In the north, there is a war. It is ongoing exactly as in the south, but with a different intensity.”

A month into the brutal Israeli war on Gaza, Israeli media acknowledged that Hezbollah has been testing Israeli forces on the northern front.

According to a correspondent from Channel 13, the northern settlement of "Kiryat Shmona" is currently without adequate protection, and any attacks from Hezbollah are characterized by their swiftness and precision.

The correspondent raised the question of how Israeli settlers in settlements like "Metulla," "Misgav Am," "Margaliot," "Kiryat Shmona", and others will be able to return under these conditions.

Israeli concerns have grown, as there is a heightened risk of a potential war erupting on the Northern Front. This comes as the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon has expanded its operations, targeting more Israeli installations and military positions along the border in response to Israeli aggressions against border villages, journalists, and civilians.

Reports in Israeli media have focused on what they describe as a "state of panic" prevailing among settlers in northern occupied Palestine. This is particularly relevant for those living in settlements near southern Lebanon. A widespread worry stems from the absence of any clear signals of escalation from the Israeli perspective, as per media reports.

In the same context, former Israeli Security Minister Avigdor Lieberman has recently concurred that the situation in the north of occupied Palestine is intolerable and that the settlers will not return there as long as Hezbollah is present.

"It is not possible to return to any settlement in the North, including Metulla, while they (Hezbollah) are there," Lieberman said.

In his interview for Israeli Channel 13, Lieberman acknowledged that Israeli settlers will not return to settlements in the north of the occupied territories, particularly the lookout points, "as long as they see Hezbollah fighters near the fence."

He emphasized that "Israel" must ensure that Hezbollah is moved beyond the Litani River before ending the war and urged the implementation of UN Resolution 1701, stating that there is no alternative as long as Hezbollah remains near the border [with occupied Palestine].

Northern settlements void of Israeli settlers: Israeli media

Recently, the correspondent of Israeli Kan TV said, "There are almost no settlers near the northern borders." More than 60,000 settlers have been evacuated from settlements along the northern borders of occupied Palestine with Lebanon, and the region is experiencing "cautious calm", he added.

Israeli media have previously highlighted the frustration felt by Israeli settlers in the north of occupied Palestine after they were forced to evacuate their settlements following their shelling by the Lebanese Resistance.

In addition, the Israeli emergency authority and occupation army added 14 northern settlements within 5km from the Lebanese border to the evacuation plan funded by the government, following approval from Security Minister Yoav Gallant.