Over the last several days international focus has been on Jenin, and Israel’s necessary move to root out terrorist infrastructure from there. Although the operation was a tactical success (more than 1,000 guns and 300 bombs confiscated, factories for producing more bombs destroyed, and 12 terrorists killed), it likely will be the first of many “mowing-the-lawn” operations needed to stop future terrorists from using Jenin as a launching pad for killing Israelis as it has been for fifty terrorist attacks in the last two years. During this ongoing campaign it is incumbent on us to keep all eyes on the ball despite attempts by Israel’s enemies, including many in the media, who will focus on the impact to the civilians in Jenin rather than the behavior of the terrorists that is the root cause for Israel’s actions (including using hospitals and schools as hiding places and shields and in at least one case a mosque as a storage location for weaponry). Bottom line, if terrorists actively aided and abetted by Iran were not trying to kill Israeli citizens (including women and children) on a regular basis, Israel’s armed forces would not have entered Jenin.
However, in the shadow of the Jenin operation, Hezbollah continues to ratchet up its confrontation with Israel. That is another danger of Iran’s designs in Jenin, it camouflages Hezbollah’s perfidy elsewhere. Therefore:
the first article below outlines once again the danger of a war, although I think it understates the risk to Israel’s home front;
the next two articles address yet another Hezbollah attempt to ratchet up tensions just short of war by setting up tents manned by its operatives in Israeli held territory;
the fourth article is an opinion piece adding perspective to recent events;
and the fifth article is for those interested in going deep into the weeds of Lebanon’s present financial crisis and how Hezbollah benefits from it.
And to all of you receiving this bi-monthly newsletter for the first time, please write to me about what you think could be improved. And, of course, unsubscribe if you would rather not get this. But, if you think it worthwhile, please forward this newsletter to anybody who you think would be interested in reading it.
Israeli Air Defense Capabilities and Limitations in the Next Major War —June 25, 2023 —Written by Yaakov Lappin for Alma. This timely piece based largely on a study done in 2023, gives a sense of the damage that may occur should Israel and Hezbollah go to war. However, in my opinion, the damage incurred by Israel’s infrastructure and civilian casualties may well be more.
30 Meters Inside Israel: New Details Revealed About Hezbollah’s Illegal Outposts —June 23, 2023—7 Israel National News. A short summary of the discovery of Hezbollah’s illegal outpost.
Hezbollah Said to Evacuate One of the 2 Tents it Set Up On Israeli Side of Blue Line — July 2, 2023—Written by TOI Staff for the Times of Israel. Hezbollah made a face saving retreat while retaining the provocation. Call me unimpressed.
Iran, Hezbollah See Israel’s Operation in Jenin as Beneficial - Analysis — July 4, 2023— Written by Seth J. Frantzman for The Jerusalem Post. Putting the threat from Jenin in context with Iran’s and Hezbollah’s encirclement plans.
How Hezbollah Profits from Lebanon’s Financial Crisis — June, 2023 — Written by Samura Azzi and Hanin Ghaddar — This is an in-depth discussion of Lebanon’s financial crisis, how Hezbollah benefits from it, and what to do about it.
Israel’s Struggle with Hezbollah—A War Without End is now available in eBook and hardback format on Amazon and IngramSpark. This compelling narrative explores Hezbollah’s origins and cancerous growth, traces Israel’s response, and reveals Israel’s present readiness to meet Hezbollah’s challenge.
Cliff Sobin
Important Link—Alma Research and Education Center: Understanding the Security Challenges on Israel’s Northern Border