Return of Bireh, 'Kiryat Shmona' settlers critical for Zionism: Lapid
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The former Israeli Prime Minister acknowledges the challenge of managing a two-front war and the possibility of the West Bank becoming a third front if tensions escalate.
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Foreign Minister Yair Lapid during an interview at his office (AFP)
Former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said, in an interview for Israeli Channel 12, that Zionism is set to collapse unless Bireh, "Kiryat Shmona" Israelis return to their settlements.
He emphasized that "Israel's" ultimate goal is the return of these settlers, but it won't happen all at once. Lapid also acknowledged the challenge of managing a two-front war and the possibility of the West Bank becoming a third front if tensions escalate.
Lapid stated that the timing, from the US perspective, is flexible, and he believes that "Israel" still has time to act.
Elsewhere in his remarks, he stressed the need for "Israel" to develop a clear strategy, something he believes has yet to be done. According to him, a fundamental aspect of this strategy is ensuring that settlers on the northern and southern frontlines can return to their settlements with a sense of safety.
He also pointed out that achieving this goal involves keeping Hezbollah away from the northern border, preventing the Resistance group from launching anti-tank missiles.
Lapid acknowledged that recent developments have led to a situation where "Israel" is dealing with wars on multiple fronts, including the Syrian border and operations from Yemen, which he described as a challenging and unstable security environment.
The big picture
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 has lately stated that “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.”
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. Meanwhile, 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.
