Retired Gen. Yaakov Amidror, the former national security adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has raised concerns about the potential for a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah. Hezbollah, a Shiite Lebanese terrorist organization, recently launched a series of attacks on northern Israel, firing rockets and drones. These attacks have resulted in casualties, including an American citizen in critical condition.
Amidror emphasized the need for American support in the form of munitions to bolster Israel's military capabilities. He acknowledged the challenges of preparing for a war with Hezbollah, citing the organization's arsenal of rockets, anti-tank missiles, and drones as significant threats.
Israel has faced previous conflicts with Hezbollah in 1982 and 2006, and is bracing for the possibility of a future war with an estimated 100,000 Hezbollah rockets and missiles. Amidror also addressed the potential involvement of Iran in a conflict with Hezbollah, highlighting the need for strategic deterrence.
Regarding potential targets in Lebanon, Amidror discussed differing perspectives within the Israeli military. He advocated for focusing on weakening Hezbollah rather than targeting Lebanese infrastructure, emphasizing the need to prevent civilian casualties.
Israel's Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, emphasized the importance of readiness and degrading Hezbollah's capabilities. He highlighted the significant losses suffered by Hezbollah and Palestinian terrorist organizations in recent engagements.
In light of the escalating tensions, the region faces the looming specter of a devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The complexities of the situation underscore the delicate balance of power and the need for strategic planning to mitigate the risks of further escalation.