Start with the obvious. Alongside the great sacrifices they exacted, the events of October 7 and their intensity caused a fatal blow to the sense of security of the citizens of the State of Israel. This obligates us as a state and as a people to act fully to remove the threat within all borders of the state, a task that in itself requires a change in the accepted concept.
IDF attack in Lebanon, photographed from inside Lebanon
The ground maneuver that IDF forces have begun to carry out in recent days is a real obligation to achieve the goals of the war. The preliminary fire effort, however precise and powerful, will not suffice. The IDF will fight and will achieve victory, but its costs are clear and painful – we must be prepared to bear them, with the understanding that buying quiet through limited rounds is no longer possible.
The forces are now dealing with the difficulties of movement in the area, which has been subjected to a significant amount of fire: roads were blocked and buildings collapsed, while the threats of tunnels and booby-traps remained in place.
Hezbollah Secretary General Nasrallah, photo: AFP
At the same time, maneuvering by its nature creates an advantage for forces. Thus, for example, the appearance of the army on the enemy's doorstep obliges it to move – and consequently create a priceless intelligence signature. This information enables operations that would not have been possible without it, such as special forces operating deep inside the Gaza Strip, harming a senior commander, rescuing abductees, and even incriminating Hamas terrorists for using civilians as human shields.
Only maneuvering, movement and fire from land, sea and air will allow us to destroy the enemy and its capabilities. I personally know the division commanders on whose shoulders the mission was placed - I have absolute confidence in their ability and the army's ability to meet operational objectives and bring victory in the campaign.
Cut off the threat
As noted, Israel can no longer accept a threat similar to that of October 7 on its borders. Not only in Sderot - but also in Avivim in the Western Galilee. If I were one of the decision makers, I would also demand that the threat from the north be cut off.
Attack in the Gaza Strip, photo: Reuters
The continued existence of an enemy with significant capabilities on our borders will lead us to face such incidents again in the future – something that is not tolerable at all.
Only maneuvering, movement and fire from land, sea and air will allow us to destroy the enemy and its capabilities. I personally know the commanders of the divisions on whose shoulders the mission was placed - I have absolute confidence in their ability and the army's ability to meet the operational objectives and bring victory in the campaign
Until now, the accepted view was that two conditions should be acted upon – intention and abilities. The surprise that led to the Black Sabbath disaster proves that we do not always have the ability to identify the enemy's intention, and therefore we must act early against any enemy that possesses the ability and develops the ability to harm us. After all, such capabilities are not built for peaceful purposes, so it is better to be the initiators rather than the reacters, the surprising rather than the surprised. This is the will of October 7.
Brigadier General (res.) Imad Fares was the Givati brigade commander during Operation Defensive Shield
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