Hezbollah “double agents” have infiltrated the Lebanese army, causing the Lebanese government to lose the opportunity created by Operation Northern Arrows and the IDF’s achievements in the campaign to disarm Hezbollah, the IDF's Intelligence Directorate stated on Monday.
Sources in the directorate asserted that Hezbollah succeeded in sending its agents into positions where they can influence public policy and threaten the government.
The Iranian regime transferred hundreds of millions of dollars in various ways to support Hezbollah’s arms race, took in the wounded and disabled for medical procedures, supported the training and coaching process, and assisted in financing salaries for regular and reserve operatives, as well as for the families of those killed.
It’s been over a year since the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect. Sources claimed that, within several months, it was clear that the Lebanese army was not capable of exerting power over Hezbollah.
For a long time, Jerusalem intended to intensify attacks against Hezbollah in order to deprive it of military capabilities, but the United States blocked the move.
The targeted assassination of Haytham Ali Tabatabai, Hezbollah’s chief of staff, was supposed to take place several months ago, but the authorities held off, hoping for a more opportune time for the strike, which would minimize collateral damage and would also be politically feasible.
The successful assassination was supposed to put Hezbollah’s leadership on the precipice of a dilemma again, but according to security sources in Hezbollah, they are determined to rebuild their military power as part of an evil axis led by Iran.
Hezbollah attempts to rebuild after suffering major losses in war with Israel
Hezbollah is working on two main efforts in parallel: The first is smuggling in various types of rockets, anti-tank missiles, and parts of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that were damaged during the campaign with Israel. Concurrently, the Shi'ite organization is working to build outposts, camps, and headquarters, and is moving some of its activities underground.
Hezbollah’s elite unit suffered painful blows during the campaign in the north. Despite Israel’s military accomplishments, Hezbollah is still capable of carrying out infiltration attempts, mainly in the western sector. Therefore, according to estimates, in preparation for any escalation, the IDF is to increase its forces on the border and in the settlements.
The IDF's Operations Directorate is preparing for a variety of scenarios in the Lebanese arena.
According to sources at the top of the IDF, Israel cannot stand by as Hezbollah strengthens militarily and erodes the IDF’s achievements.
The sources further emphasized that the duration of the escalation will depend on the extent of Hezbollah’s response.