Israel is preparing for a possible activation of Hezbollah by Iran during the holidays. Meanwhile, the Lebanese army's disarmament of the terrorist group has stalled.
Representatives of the Israeli security apparatus anticipate attacks by the terrorist group Hezbollah in the coming weeks. According to their intelligence, Iran is seeking a military escalation with the help of the terrorist group. However, given the economic situation, the regime in Tehran will not intervene directly.
The Israeli newspaper "Israel Hayom" reported on Wednesday, citing army and intelligence sources, on the assessment of the situation. According to the report, Iran, with the help of Hezbollah, intends to disrupt daily life in Israel, especially given the upcoming holidays. Another goal is to bring about a breakdown in talks between Israel and Lebanon.
On the evening of September 11, the period of important holidays begins in Israel with the New Year, Rosh Hashanah. The highlight is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which, as the last of the ten Days of Repentance, begins on the evening of September 20. The Feast of Tabernacles follows on the evening of September 25, and on October 3, Simchat Torah – according to the Jewish calendar, the third anniversary of the terrorist massacre in southern Israel.
Limited army
The security challenges in the north are also evident elsewhere: As several media outlets have reported in recent days, the pilot program with the Lebanese army, launched at the end of July, is not yet proceeding as planned. The program's goal is for the Lebanese army to gradually take over the disarmament of Hezbollah. Initially, it is operating on a trial basis in two pilot zones.
However, Israeli army officials now say that the Lebanese are not meeting the objective. Due to legal restrictions, the soldiers are not conducting searches in residential buildings, for example. But Hezbollah has been hiding its weapons precisely there in recent years.
According to a high-ranking American official, some Lebanese generals therefore favor the Israeli army remaining in southern Lebanon. They fear a return of Hezbollah to already demilitarized areas.
Netanyahu: Bring down the Iranian regime
Meanwhile, both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) and US President Donald Trump (Republican) have expressed confidence that the Iranian regime will collapse. However, both are currently campaigning, Trump indirectly through the midterm elections on November 3rd.
Netanyahu told the broadcaster i24 News that his goal of destroying the Iranian-led "axis of evil" had not yet been achieved. He added: "We will defeat this regime. It will fall, we will bring it down. It is already on shaky ground."
Trump told Israelis on Wednesday not to worry about the renewed escalation with Iran. "Israel shouldn't worry. You know why? Because I'm the president and I'm going to take care of Israel," Trump told the Israeli broadcaster Kan.
False missile alert
The new school year began on Tuesday , with some schools opening for the first time since the terrorist massacre of October 7. President Yitzhak Herzog described the reopening as a triumph and a sign of Israel's strength. He said it was time, especially for people in the north, to return to a more normal life.
But on Tuesday night, a rocket alert revived memories of dark times. Interceptor missiles were fired. Although it turned out to be a false alarm, numerous Israelis fled to bomb shelters.
In southern Lebanon, Israeli soldiers came under drone fire. The army subsequently attacked Hezbollah terrorist targets. (Israelnetz)
