Jerusalem Post: Israel’s biggest concern as it prepares for a ground operation is…
Discussions continue over the long-awaited ground operation in Israel, which has been bombing Gaza for 11 days following the bloody attack by Hamas.
Despite international reactions, the Israeli government called on people living in northern Gaza to “go south” and gave them time, raising concerns that “the ground operation is beginning.” Israeli officials had announced that troops would enter Gaza by land as soon as possible, but the delay in the operation, which was expected to begin at the weekend, raised questions.
The Jerusalem Post, one of Israel’s leading newspapers, published a notable story on the subject. The news highlighted that Israel, which intensified its airstrikes against Gaza, had some concerns and therefore postponed its operations plan.
“Hezbollah is waiting for an opportunity to attack”
Sources who spoke to the Jerusalem Post noted that several factors led to the postponement, but that Israel’s main concern was the Hezbollah organization in Lebanon. According to sources, Israel fears that if it enters Gaza with all its troops, Hezbollah will take advantage of this opportunity and launch an attack against the country from the Lebanese border in the north.
Hezbollah’s number two, Sheikh Naim Kasım, said at a rally supporting Palestine in the capital Beirut last week: “We are ready to intervene in Israel when the time comes.”
The sources noted that Israeli officials think that “Hezbollah is waiting for an opportunity” and are worried about opening a front against Israel from the north, and commented that the harsh statements coming from Iran and Lebanon are also followed with concern.
WARNINGS AND US HOSTAGES ARE ALSO ON THE AGENDA
The Jerusalem Post’s analysis also drew attention to the view that Hezbollah is trying to deceive Israel with the perception of “false security” by avoiding direct conflict with Israel. The newspaper wrote that the Israeli army would carry out a ground operation in Gaza in any case, but noted that Hezbollah’s maneuvers are being carefully monitored and measures on the northern border are intensified.
The news noted that Israel took careful steps regarding the ground operation due to hostages held by Hamas and US warnings about “civilian death.”
Israel had to withdraw its troops in the war with Lebanese Hezbollah in 2006, and Hezbollah became a major political and military power in the region.