Israel: senior officers warn of Hezbollah infiltration in northern settlements

Senior officers in the Israel occupation forces’ Northern Command have warned of the growing threat of a potential ground incursion by Hezbollah fighters along the northern border of Israel. According to Israeli news outlet Walla, the officers described the threat as “more realistic than ever before.”

The warning highlighted the fact that, contrary to popular belief, Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force remains capable of launching a coordinated attack, including attempts to infiltrate Israeli settlements or military positions. The officers insisted that those who believe Hezbollah is not training to breach the northern border are “mistaken and delusional.” The group has not done this before, they said, because it has chosen not to.

“The practical assumption for everyone should be that Hezbollah is capable of infiltrating and planting a flag in a settlement or an Israeli army site on the border and burning several buildings,” the officers were quoted as saying by the Jerusalem Post, “For them, this can be considered a victory, because such an act can affect the entire area and terrorise the settlers there.”

The Northern Command officers pointed out that Hezbollah proved last month that it continues to deploy observers and an advanced unit from the Radwan Force in the border area, with the aim of preparing to continue fighting with the Israeli army.

Tension is rising amid fears of a comprehensive regional war after Israel assassinated senior Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr in an air strike in Beirut on 30 July, and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran hours later. Iran and Hezbollah have vowed a “strong and inevitable” response to the assassinations.

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