Hebrew press reports indicated today, Tuesday, that the ground operation being carried out by the Israeli occupation army in southern Lebanon does not include, among its realistic objectives, completely preventing rocket fire. Sources clarified that the military leadership realizes that the ground maneuver, no matter how extensive, will not end the threat of rocket barrages targeting Israeli territory.
According to "Haaretz" newspaper, the fundamental goal of the ground movement is to remove Hezbollah elements from the border area and dismantle their close-range offensive capabilities. Through this step, the army seeks to thwart any potential plans by the party to carry out ground incursions into the occupied territories or launch anti-tank missiles directly.
These military assessments come at a time when political pressures are escalating within the Knesset and the Israeli government to expand the scope of fighting. Extremist ministers are demanding a comprehensive ground operation that guarantees a complete ceasefire, which the army views as a difficult goal to achieve through military means alone, given the region's geography.
Sources indicated that Hezbollah still maintains a huge military arsenal estimated at about 15,000 rockets and drones, despite intensive strikes. The majority of this arsenal consists of medium-range rockets reaching up to 50 kilometers, in addition to hundreds of high-quality long-range rockets that can threaten all areas.
Regarding field positioning, occupation forces began to penetrate the second line of Lebanese villages located south of the border. This movement aims to destroy the military infrastructure and weapons depots that the party has established over the years in both open and built-up areas.
Estimates within the defense establishment suggest that permanent stability in the north will not be achieved through a long military presence inside Lebanese territory. These circles believe that the only solution lies in a political settlement that includes negotiations with the Lebanese government to strengthen the role of its army in the south.
Despite the occupation's focus on the Iranian front as a primary arena, the army is preparing for the possibility of Lebanon becoming the central arena for fighting. The Northern Command has begun to significantly reinforce its forces in anticipation of the confrontation developing into a long-term war of attrition or a further expansion of operations.
The occupation army is currently seeking to return to the pattern of operations that prevailed before November 2024, where forces operated more freely in areas south of the Litani. This tactic aims to inflict the maximum possible damage on Hezbollah's defense system before entering into any political negotiations.
Reports stressed that the military leadership does not intend, at the current stage, to re-establish a permanent security zone inside Lebanon, as was the case previously. Plans for troop deployment are designed to allow field units to withdraw quickly once a political decision is issued in this regard, to avoid getting bogged down in the Lebanese quagmire.
In a related context, military officials tried to downplay the severity of Army Minister Yisrael Katz's statements in which he spoke of a large-scale operation. Sources clarified that the currently adopted plans remain within the scope of a "limited entry" aimed at protecting border settlements and destroying nearby weapons depots.
The Israeli government faces increasing criticism about the feasibility of the ground operation if it does not lead to the safe return of northern residents to their homes. Observers believe that the continued fall of rockets weakens the official narrative about the success of the military operation in achieving its stated goals for the Israeli public.
Reports also noted that the biggest challenge lies in the anti-tank missiles targeting residential areas near the border fence. The current ground operation is an attempt to create a belt that prevents direct visibility and precise targeting of these communities by Hezbollah fighters.
Tension remains dominant amidst the continued Israeli military buildup on the northern front and ongoing intense air raids. Political circles are awaiting whether these military pressures will actually push the parties towards the negotiating table or lead to a wider regional explosion.
In conclusion, field data confirm that the occupation army balances its desire to deliver a decisive blow to Hezbollah with its fears of getting involved in a long-term occupation. The effectiveness of this strategy remains dependent on the party's ability to withstand and continue launching rocket barrages into the interior.
The army believes that the ground operation may reduce rocket fire, but it will not be able to prevent it completely.
شارك برأيك
Haaretz: Ground operation in Lebanon aims to remove Hezbollah, not stop rockets