Yesterday (Tuesday) it was announced that the IDF had eliminated two senior Hezbollah officials within a few hours, using an Air Force aircraft. Lt. Col. (Ret.) Alon Avitar, a commentator on Arab affairs and an expert on the Palestinian scene, commented on 103FM about what was happening in the northern sector during the last days
"We need to look beyond the matter of the elimination itself to the more comprehensive picture vis-a-vis Hezbollah," he said. "Even since the Iranian attack, we see an increase in the self-confidence of Hezbollah as well. In attempts to harm both the IDF and inside Israel, we have also seen in the last two or three days large volleys, shooting from UAVs. The North is already beginning to accept other terms regarding the scope of the fighting As far as Israel is concerned, in recent weeks Israel has been quite successful in hitting a middle-level plus of commanders in Hezbollah."
According to him, "What we are seeing in Lebanon is additional attempts by the IDF to hit intermediate levels plus, there are also attempts by Hezbollah on the other side to also increase the scope of fire, also in terms of the extent of the areas. The focus has shifted to the north, also in the scope of the fighting, in intensity, in tension and certainly in the depth of the paralysis. I'm not sure that the Iranians pressured Hezbollah with all their might to enter the campaign, they are clear about the implications - an Israeli response deep into Lebanon."
In light of his statements, the pair of presenters wondered whether Hezbollah stayed out of the Iranian attack on Israel in order to join in at a later stage in the war, and Avitar explained: "Iran entered the campaign by opening a new front and equation in such a way that it provides intensity in itself without necessarily bringing Hezbollah into the matter fully. The Iranians , what they created thanks to the attack, they decided to stand publicly, directly, to open a front on a certain scale with Israel. What did the Iranians say? Any significant Israeli activity in Syria and Lebanon, we can respond, we opened the channel on the matter."
"The Iranians will no longer be silent about hitting one or another military point, personal or otherwise, in Syria," he declared. "Today we will be prepared or we will have to deal with much more significant Iranian attacks. Now this will not be lip service, the Iranians will feel safe enough in such a way that it will force Israel to avoid actions it saw fit to carry out during its hours when there were no reactions."
He also claimed that "the story of Hezbollah, Hezbollah is gaining self-confidence as an organization on its own, without necessarily being influenced by Iranian pressure. It kidnaps but also hijacks, you see what is happening on the northern border - Hezbollah is making significant achievements."
At the end, Avitar wanted to emphasize: "He also understands, in my estimation, that Israel will not extend the campaign beyond the existing borders, will not reach the Beirut area, will not reach the tenders for control, will not harm Nasrallah. From their perspective, there is a whole range of continued shooting at Israel and the paralysis of the northern border until further notice."