Local Editor

The Islamic Resistance operation in the Occupied Shebaa farms found its way to the "Israeli" dailies.

Times of "Israel": Loud Message

The Times of "Israel" wrote in its front page: "The ring of explosives detonated alongside an "Israeli" patrol on the border with Lebanon on Tuesday was another in a series of messages from Hizbullah to "Israel"."

"The message being that, from now on, every incident in which "Israel" causes Lebanese injuries will be greeted with a response along the Lebanese or Syrian borders," it added.
The daily further noted: "The message this time was loud and clear: a full admission by Hizbullah. The claim of responsibility also gave a reason for the attack."
The organization, meanwhile, is taking advantage of "Israel's" wariness in order to establish a new set of ground rules.

It's thus likely that in the coming months we'll see occasional flare-ups along the border but no all-out escalation. And yet, the outcome of Tuesday's attack, which wounded two soldiers, could have been much worse, and one is forced to recall that in July 2006, no one predicted that a cross-border attack [with far more dire results] would precipitate the Second Lebanon War.

Ynet: Hizbullah's Objectives Achieved

Moving to Ynet, the daily wrote: "The location of the bomb is important, as we will later see. The choice of a series of explosives detonated from afar has the organization's [Hizbullah] fingerprints all over it."

It further mentioned that "the objectives behind the attack are also crystal clear: A combination between "exacting revenge", and a statement made to solidify Hizbullah and the Lebanese government's claims that the Shebaa Farms are sovereign Lebanese territory."

"This area is where, two days ago, an "Israeli" force exchanged fire with armed Lebanese men, probably Lebanese Army soldiers...This is also where Hizbullah kidnapped "Israeli" soldiers in 2000."

The daily also highlighted: "The tools chosen for the attack - scattered explosives that are remote-controlled by well-hidden Hizbullah men who overlook the scene of the attack - is also typical of the organization, which gained extensive experience fighting in Syria."
"As far as Hizbullah is concerned, it has achieved its objectives completely," the daily concluded.

Haaretz: Hizbullah's Threats Serious

Similarly, Haaretz newspaper warned that "the latest incident shows once again that Hizbullah's threats should be taken seriously."

"The organization is constantly working to reestablish its deterrence against "Israel"," the daily said.
In addition it viewed that "the "Israeli" declarations of military success over Hamas in the Gaza Strip have not deterred Hizbullah from carrying out limited attacks on the "Israeli" army forces on the Lebanese border."

"Israel's "red line" for aggression in the north was crossed long ago. Since August 2013, there have been 11 incidents in the area involving rockets, small arms fire and explosive devices."

Haaretz' political analyst recalled that "the "Israeli" response to this disruption of the calm has been relatively restrained. "Israel" is well aware of the new rules of the regional game and is reluctant to ignite a fire that will be difficult to put out."

"Still, if a year or two ago "Israel's" military leadership thought Hizbullah's strength had waned due to its involvement in the civil war in Syria, today they realize that a more complex process is at work. Hizbullah is indeed losing fighters, but it is also gaining experience and confidence. Hizbullah is not prepared to give "Israel" a free pass to operate in Lebanon."

Arutzsheva7: We're Losing Control

Meanwhile, "Arutzsheva7" reported on the incident: "Security sources told "Israel" Radio Wednesday, warning they could potentially lead to another conflict in the north in the near future."

"The officials noted that Hizbullah's newfound defiance could preclude another conflict, and added that it possibly indicates the "Israeli" army may be losing control along the border."

JP: Hizbullah Broke Silence

For its part, "Jeursalem Post" viewed that "the devices were laid a while ago, and on Tuesday Hizbullah commanders decided to activate them."
"The response was meant to contain the incident and not deteriorate relations with Hizbullah."
"Israel" is also not interested in an escalation. But as we've seen this summer against Hamas, and in 2006 against Hizbullah, a single incident or a series of violent events that grow out of hand can develop into war.

Hizbullah' new approach can be defined as "breaking the silence."

Hizbullah, which sees itself as the defender of the Lebanese nation, has decided to change its approach. It responds to any incident that it views as an "Israeli" attack on Lebanese sovereignty or as a breach of the rules of the game. And not only does it respond, it usually also takes responsibility.
"With the help of its up-to-date weapons, and especially its massive stockpile of up to 100,000 missiles, Hizbullah believes in its ability to challenge "Israel", and, if need be, even stand up to it for a long period of time and to wear it out if the situation deteriorates to a war that none of the players in the equation ["Israel", Hizbullah, and Iran] wishes for."

Source: "Israeli" dailies, Edited by website team