’Israel’ Sees War with Hizbullah as Matter of ’When’, Not ’If’

Local Editor

"Israeli" military planners understand that a future military confrontation in the North promises to be the most difficult ever.

If the next inferno will erupt against Hizbullah in Lebanon, there is no doubt that the group - which already controls a number of strategically important points in Syria - will open fire across the frontier on the Golan Heights.

The situation in the North will be so severe that the army's situational assessments first and foremost stress the need for defense before offense.

Senior defense officials also know full well that the best way to win the next war in the North is to undertake a series of defensive measures while at the same time dealing the enemy a blow from which it will be unable to recover.

One of the reasons for this is that "Israeli" intelligence has long concluded its fact-finding efforts aimed at gauging the quantities of firepower possessed by Hizbullah.

The intelligence community has since been hard at work in analyzing the types of weaponry.

The conclusion it has reached is that these arms are not only lethal, but precise.

Some of these weapons were developed and manufactured by Hizbullah itself. There was a time when Hizbullah was considered a small-time nuisance. Today, it is a consensus view that "Israel" is facing a full-fledged military organization.

If [from the "Israeli" point of view] Hizbullah was indifferent to the damage that was being wrought on Lebanon during the Second Lebanon War, the union being forged with the Lebanese military has become a deterrent.

In recent weeks, analysts have noticed a historic alignment that has taken hold between Hizbullah and the Lebanese military.

For the first time ever, the "Israeli" Forces Northern Command soldiers manning lookout posts have noticed that Hizbullah and Lebanese troops have been conducting joint patrols. Now "Israeli" military officials are wondering just how deep the cooperation between the two organizations extends.

The Zionist entity is disturbed by these developments, and it has communicated its concerns to world powers. In some cases, "Israeli" officials have made clear their redlines regarding the nature and quality of weaponry it will permit the Lebanese forces to possess.

An interesting dynamic has taken shape between Hizbullah and the Lebanese government, and the entity is not taking it lightly. Hizbullah today has members of parliament and enough government ministers that can tilt major decisions in its direction. Will the Lebanese military fight alongside Hizbullah in the next war? "Israel" does not rule this out, and as such is preparing for the eventuality.

Military officials acknowledge that at the moment nobody on either side is interested in war. The chances of hostilities breaking out in the near future are low. At the same time, however, it is clear to all that the smallest incident could lead to a response that snowballs into the Third Lebanon War for which Hizbullah is ready.

As a measure of precaution, the army had already concluded the construction of numerous roadblocks and obstacles near Shlomi, not far from the northern border, which are aimed at preventing anyone from crossing the frontier and taking control of roadways, outposts, even townships. Preparatory work has long been concluded in towns and settlements adjacent to the border.

In some areas, the army has built artificial trenches and put up walls. Zionist officers acknowledge that not all preparations have been completed and not all emergency procedures have been put in place, but these are expected to be finished soon.

On the day that hostilities erupt, the northern communities will be evacuated. In their place will come battalions of combat troops. The evacuation plans have already been prepared, as have the plans for an attack on the other side of the border. The Zionist entity will do all in its power in order to finish the next round within days.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team