The incident we witnessed in Lebanon is a result of the campaign under the radar in recent years in the Middle East • This is an opportunity for Israel to put pressure on the international community to put an end to the Iranian saga • Interpretation
The huge explosion that took place last night (Tuesday) in Beirut is not an event in itself. Any sane person who understands half a thing about sabotage and explosives knows that what happened last night is not just an ammonia reservoir that as a result of a malfunction destroyed half a city. Hezbollah is paying a heavy price for hiding explosives in civilian areas and the result is clear - this is organized crime.
The destruction in the port of Beirut after the explosion - difficult images to view
For years, a secret campaign has been under the radar in the Middle East with the aim of reducing Iran's influence on the region, both by harming Hezbollah's supply routes, by harming its affiliates in the various regions, and by establishing itself in Iraq and Syria. This campaign has a number of partners and they all have the same interest - reducing the extreme Shiite influence on the entire region, and preventing Iranian hegemony.
The campaign combines intelligence gathering, espionage, the use of agents, and the use of military force, sometimes even openly and openly, but most of it secretly. This can be better understood as a result of all the events we have witnessed in recent weeks - from unknown explosions in the Tehran area and missile production facilities and nuclear laboratories, to operations in the Syrian area and even to what is happening in Lebanon.
Dozens killed and thousands injured in an explosion at the port of Beirut; Hezbollah members interpreted the scene of the disaster
78 killed, nearly 4,000 wounded: Beirut licks its wounds
Hariri on the blast: "They killed Beirut"
It is not known who is responsible for what action, because as stated, this is a broad partnership and it is not inconceivable that Lebanese factors are also involved in what is happening from a position of weakening Hezbollah and the influence of Iran. Last night's explosion was one component within this campaign. Its power is enormous and the damage inconceivable, but it does not seem to be a unique action beyond the chain of operations that has been going on for years.
What can be understood from this event is precisely what is not said, and what is not stated. Hezbollah is silent - which indicates great embarrassment. For years, the organization has been equipped with weapons and components for the production of missiles and rockets. The storage areas are located in the heart of the villages and cities. Whole families live above entire bunkers of explosives, rockets and launching platforms. In this context, the whole of Greater Lebanon is a metaphor for what we saw last night.
The amount of weapons hidden under houses in Lebanon is astronomical. The cynicism with which Hezbollah uses a civilian medium to protect its assets is nothing less than crimes against humanity. This is so significant that it is inconceivable what a catastrophe this organization is leading an entire country and millions of citizens, who have found themselves trapped under its control with no practical ability to change the situation. It is time for the international community to bring this organization to justice for its crimes.
The blast is an opportunity for the international community to put an end to the Iranian saga, and in Lebanon even more so. This is a humanitarian catastrophe for which the person responsible is a terrorist organization, under his auspices. This is an example of what the Iranians are producing here in the region, as they build a destructive force to rain thousands of missiles a day at helpless civilians living in cities, and not just in Israel.
As the extent of the destruction becomes clear we will need to understand how dangerous this organization is and how much Iran is not sick of the means. Israel must use this to strengthen its legitimacy in the campaign against the Islamic Republic. What we saw yesterday is a promo for what could happen here in the war, and they have already started talking about the Haifa Bay area and the consequences of an Iranian missile range here.
Today more than ever it can be said that the Iranian danger is not Benjamin Netanyahu's spin and not a campaign of intimidation. It is a country that poses a tangible danger to life in the entire region, without distinguishing who the citizens are in danger - Lebanese or Israelis, all to advance the Islamic Revolution.
Anyone exposed to the extent of the destruction must understand - the Iranian threat is not a "demon" fueled to garner votes in the election - it is a dramatic threat that must not be accepted in any way, and must continue to be fought in all possible ways.
The author is a former commander of the IDF Armored Brigade, currently a researcher on military-social relations, author of the books "The Man in the Tank", and "Clear Direction"