Israel's Intelligence Challenges in Lebanon
Military expert Brigadier General Elias Hanna has raised concerns over Israel's current military operations in Lebanon, particularly highlighting a significant state of intelligence blindness that has led to critical setbacks for Israeli forces. During an attempted infiltration into Maroun al-Ras, Israeli troops from the Golani Brigade, Seventh Brigade, and elite Egos Division faced ambushes by Hezbollah, underscoring the difficulties Israel is encountering in gathering vital information about Hezbollah's positions and command structure.
Hanna explained that the Israeli forces are attempting to control strategic heights along the border to monitor Hezbollah activities and prevent them from observing northern Israel. However, he noted that the geographical realities of the region dictate specific tactical incursions, which have become increasingly complex compared to the 2006 conflict. Hezbollah fighters, having gained substantial combat experience over the past year, are well-prepared to counter Israeli incursions.
The fighting is currently concentrated in the Galilee Finger and Metula, areas critical for Hezbollah's operations towards the Litani River. Hanna pointed out that the recent ambushes reflect Hezbollah's readiness to engage and that the loss of their commander, Ibrahim Aqil, has not diminished their operational capabilities. He emphasized that every loss for Israel serves as a lesson, prompting a reevaluation of their military strategies.
Hanna concluded that Israel faces a precarious situation: if it enters Lebanon, it risks significant losses, but if it refrains from doing so, it may still fail to achieve its stated military objectives. He reiterated that Hezbollah is determined to defend its territory vigorously, which could lead to heavy casualties among Israeli forces if a full-scale invasion occurs.
