A Matter of Time
Israel Prepares to Attack Hezbollah
Israel is reportedly preparing for a possible large-scale military operation in southern Lebanon as the IDF builds an expanded target bank against Hezbollah’s missile forces and terror infrastructure, amid warnings the group is rearming and defiant statements from its leadership.
Israel is continuing preparations for a large-scale operation in southern Lebanon in the near future, as the IDF builds an extensive bank of targets against Hezbollah. Terror infrastructure, senior and junior operatives linked to the group's precision missile project, and weapons depots are all in the Israeli military's sights.Despite ongoing Israeli Air Force strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, the IDF is reportedly compiling potential targets for a broader and more significant campaign against the Shiite terror organization if decided upon.
According to re[ports by Channel 12, Israeli officials assess that Hezbollah still possesses long-range rockets and other significant weaponry capable of sustained combat. The group continues efforts to rearm and rebuild, prompting potential Israeli action to halt its rearmament in the coming period.
In a speech delivered on Saturday, Hezbollah deputy secretary-general Naim Qassem issued a defiant message: "We will defend ourselves even if the skies fall on the earth. The weapons will not be taken to fulfill Israel's goals."
Qassem argued that Lebanon must cease concessions and prioritize ceasefire implementation before discussing a "defense strategy." He accused U.S. envoy Tom Barrack of seeking to annex Lebanon to Syria and claimed the "resistance" is ready for maximum cooperation with the Lebanese army but rejects any framework leading to surrender to Israel or American tyranny.He further stated that exclusive control of weapons, as currently proposed in Lebanon, is an American-Israeli demand aimed at dismantling the resistance's power.
Qassem vowed that Hezbollah's arms, land, and spirit are inseparable, and the group will not allow their removal, even if the entire world unites against Lebanon.In Israel, security officials are pushing for expanded military action against Hezbollah, viewing the current moment as critical to prevent the terror group's recovery.
Factors include the Lebanese army's weakness in confronting Hezbollah and the potential for a decisive blow to alter the rules of engagement, possibly paving the way for future arrangements with the Lebanese government.Israeli assessments also consider Iran, aiming to ensure Hezbollah cannot join any future round of confrontation in the coming months.