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Lt. Col. Conricus: War must dismantle Hamas; tunnel flooding on table
The war in the Gaza Strip is continuing for its third month and Israeli military casualties are mounting. In an interview with The Media Line’s Felice Friedson, the Israel Defense Forces international spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, discusses the short- and long-term goals of the war and says Israel is paying a heavy price, but its goals remain unshaken: Hamas must be toppled, he says, and the hostages being held in Gaza, who still include 17 women and children, must be returned. Israel has no other choice.
The Media Line: Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus is the international spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces. Thank you so much for taking the time to be with me here at The Media Line.
Lt. Col. Conricus: Thank you for having me, Felice.
TML: On the day that Israel declared war on Hamas, those speaking on her behalf stressed that the path to victory would be a slow one, deliberate and costly. Now, some 68 days into the conflict, observers are amazed that rockets continue to fly into Israel, and that the Hamas fighting remains pretty lethal. What “unexpecteds” have you encountered in the last two months?
Lt. Col. Conricus: So, we’ve been fighting for 68 days, since the 7th of October, and as we said from the beginning, even before we started ground operations in Gaza in order to dismantle Hamas, we said that we understand and know that it is going to be a long and difficult fight, that unfortunately we are going to have to pay a price in blood in order to achieve our goals, and that it will not be easy, but that our resolve is very clear.
And all of us, soldiers in the IDF, and officers, commanders, the High Command, all understand that we have to dismantle Hamas in order for Israeli civilians to be able to go home.
Now, we have seen Hamas continue to operate throughout the war, and we see that they still retain certain rocket firing and combat capabilities. Unfortunately, yesterday we had a mass casualty event in Shejaiya [in the northern Gaza Strip] where 10 Israeli soldiers were killed from the Golani Brigade and our elite aerial rescue unit, our tactical Air Force unit [669].
So there are still pockets of resistance in northern Gaza, and the fight isn’t over there. There are still rocket launches and there are still tunnels, and there are still terrorists there. Of course, greatly degraded, but still there. And in southern Gaza, specifically in Khan Yunis, the fighting is ongoing and it will take a lot of time and a lot of effort in order to dismantle Hamas, but we shouldn’t confuse time and patience with a lack of resolve.
The resolve is very clear, and we are going to defeat Hamas. There is no other option.
TML: Lt. Col. Conricus, looking at the bloodshed, the loss of lives of your soldiers, did you underestimate, did the IDF underestimate, the power of Hamas?
Lt. Col. Conricus: I think what we can say safely is that Hamas has prioritized their military capabilities over everything else, and we can see as our forces advance and as we clear areas, houses, neighborhoods, and parts of cities from Hamas terrorists after we defeat them and dismantle the enemy activity there, what we expose is hundreds of miles of tunnels, hundreds, almost a thousand, tunnel shafts. Some of them are very high-tech and high-level and a high finish of infrastructure. And we find house after house full of weapons, IEDs, explosives, rocket launchers, and anything that Hamas could get their hands on.
So what I think I can see is that I think it’s clear where Hamas priorities have been. They definitely have not been developing Gaza, caring for civilians, building civilian infrastructure, schools and hospitals and mosques and roads and clinics. No. It has been in furnishing themselves with tunnels and buying and smuggling weapons so that they can go on their continued jihad against Israel. That will now be brought to an end.
Hamas will be dismantled, and as our forces on the ground advance, we uncover what Hamas is leaving behind. We’re documenting everything, and we’re also sharing it with the world so that everyone can see where international aid has gone, where it was supposed to have gone above ground, and where it evidently ended up underground in the hands of Hamas.
TML: This has been going on for years, the smuggling of weapons, but do you believe the international community actually believes that today? You might be saying that here, and on many other international programs, yet public opinion doesn’t necessarily say that they agree with the reality on the ground.
Lt. Col. Conricus: I think that the polling indicates not quite what you say because I see very solid support among [the] US population, lots of sympathy towards Israel, the Israeli government even, and definitely Israelis. And there’s a distinction between those three.
And I think, according to the polls that I’ve seen, an overwhelming US majority, and I’ve seen polls of Western countries as well, an overwhelming US majority supports Israel’s quest to dismantle Hamas based on what they’ve seen, what Hamas did on October 7th. The atrocities, the murder, rape, the brutal executions, and the burning of corpses and all of those atrocities Hamas did that seem distant now.
It’s been more than two months, but it’s still very fresh in Israeli collective memory. People saw that, and people understand what monsters Israel is dealing with, and therefore people all around the world support Israel in our quest to defend ourselves. And I understand that there are certain elites, and there are editors and there are politicians and people for whom it doesn’t fit with their worldview and agenda that Israel should be allowed to defend itself and to care for itself and for Israelis to live safely within their internationally recognized border without fear of being under persecution, rape and murder.
But that’s fine. They’ll continue to harbor their negative views, and we’ll continue to build our country, defend ourselves, and defeat our enemies as we have been doing since 1948.
TML: The United States was very strong in supporting the Israel Defense Forces’ actions in Gaza. There is a bit of a shift. You see President Biden putting on some very strong pushback at this point and he’s saying that [Israel] has to pull back. He’s telling everyone [to] wrap it up in some form. How is this going to impact what the IDF is going to do in the coming weeks? What’s the pressure point here?
Lt. Col. Conricus: I don’t see one, and on the ground in the IDF that is not the perception that we have. What I see in news events and what I see the president saying is, I stand with Israel, and I support Israel, and Israel needs to get rid of Hamas. Those are clear words that I understand.
I see a lot of journalists trying to corner the president and get other statements out of him, but I see a president steadfast in his support for Israel, unflinching and unmoving, and I think that is tremendous. That is the leadership that is so extremely important in times of war. And I see various other important American officials, including senior spokespeople like [John] Kirby taking a very clear moral position on what needs to be done, defeat Hamas, bring the hostages home, and do it in such a way that it minimizes collateral damage and damage to civilians, which is what we are doing.
We do listen to what our allies and friends around the world are saying. We do take into account the criticism that is voiced, and we do try to adapt, where applicable, our tactics on the ground in order to accommodate that, and of course, we communicate what we are doing on the battlefield to the world, so that the world can see how we are fighting, and also, very importantly, what type of enemy we are fighting. How the enemy uses cynically the civilians at their so-to-say disposal that they have in Gaza because it’s really how Hamas looks at civilian Palestinians.
They think of them as something disposable that they can use, in order to get public opinion swayed against Israel and for Hamas, and in some cases, it works and some people are calling for cease-fire, and some people are adopting Hamas’ talking points. I think that’s very unfortunate, but at the end of the day, our resolve is very clear.
We understand what needs to be done, and we also understand that really, frankly, we don’t have a choice. If we do not defeat Hamas, our people, Israelis, cannot go back to live safely in their homes, and that is a result that is unacceptable. And therefore we will continue to fight until Hamas is defeated and our hostages returned.
TML: There are still a lot of hostages left in Gaza. Are you closer to getting any of them out? There were those in the IDF that attempted to bring two back; they brought two hostage bodies back, and unfortunately others were killed. [Former Chief of General Staff] Gadi Eisenkot, his son was killed in that action. So what is it going to take? Is it going to be a constant race to see how you are going to get the hostages out, and yet you might lose more men in doing so?
Lt. Col. Conricus: It is a tremendous challenge. A tactical challenge. It’s a very difficult mission to deal with, because of how cynically Hamas is using the hostages as bargaining chips and as human shields. We have said very clearly from the beginning and continuously that we are going to spare no efforts in getting our hostages back, even if it means to conduct tactical operations which will put soldiers at risk. It is our commitment and our duty to bring our hostages back.
If it can be done through diplomatic means, great. If it cannot be done through diplomatic means, then we will do it in any other way that is possible. At the end of the day, our moral and professional obligation is to bring our people back.
TML: What are the numbers currently? How many women are being held today in Gaza?
Lt. Col. Conricus: As far as I know, there are 135 Israelis still held in Gaza, out of which 17 are women and children.
TML: Does that include the hostage body that just came back? Is it down to 134?
Lt. Col. Conricus: I know 135. That is the latest number I have based on the latest information.
TML: Was it 16 in terms of women at this moment?
Lt. Col. Conricus: As far as I know, we are talking about 17 women and children. I could be mistaken by one. These are moving figures after all, but in any case, the very important thing is that Hamas, they themselves violated the agreement that they pushed so hard in order to achieve in return for a temporary cease-fire or a pause in operations.
They were supposed to return 10 live Israeli civilians, women or children, every day. They failed to do so. They violated the terms of the agreement, and then they also started firing. And there is a lot of speculation as to why they did that. I’m not going to speculate about it, but a lot has been said about it.
But at the end of the day, contrary to Hamas claims, there are at least 17 women and children still held in Hamas captivity, 68 days after the war started.
TML: The Wall Street Journal just came out with a story that you are flooding the tunnels. It’s definitely something that has been discussed. Is there anything that you can share about this with the concerns that it can hurt the fresh water that the Gazans will need?
Lt. Col. Conricus: Yeah, you know Hamas has been digging tunnels for many years, and we have been developing different countermeasures and techniques in order to deal with tunnels, both those tunnels that were dug into Israel what we call terror tunnels in order to infiltrate into Israel, and also underground infrastructure that they have inside Gaza which is really the backbone of their combat network.
I can’t go into details. I can say that we are looking at different capabilities and different components. We want to turn the tunnels from an asset that Hamas has really to a liability and eventually to their graves, and that is our intention.
We are taking everything into consideration. The location of Israelis who may be held captive in certain areas, and other considerations; one of them you mentioned. But at the end of the day, these tunnels will hopefully be the undoing of Hamas.
TML: Looking ahead, is it too early to look ahead for an end game? Where will the Palestinian people be left? How will the Israeli borders be secure? There has to be a strategy that is being discussed at the moment.
Lt. Col. Conricus: I’m sure there is. Yes, and it’s an important part. The IDF is part of the discussions at the cabinet and government level. We voiced our input when asked, when solicited. And at the end of the day, the IDF will implement the directives given by the government.
I hope, as an Israeli, that a good and long-term solution can be found, one that first and foremost ensures the security and the sense of security for Israeli civilians that hopefully soon will be able to go back to their homes, rebuild their communities. Despite the heavy losses that they’ve sustained, despite the damage to their beautiful communities, they’ll have the power, they’ll find the power.
And with the help of the state and other people who will be helping, also the resources in order to rebuild those communities, and hopefully make them grow beyond what they were before. That is really reliant first and foremost on security being available and stable for those civilians to feel safe in order to return there.
And then I hope that the international community will see it fit to join in and help, for once fundamentally change the situation in Gaza. We will free Gaza of the terrorist organization that ruled with an iron fist, a heavy hand, over Gaza for the last 17 years, and that will be an opportunity for positive, more advanced forces in the region, for nations in the region to invest in what’s happening and hopefully bring about a positive and sustainable future for Gaza.
I care mostly about Israeli civilians and our security, but I also understand that if there’s prosperity and stability and education for human values and perhaps even democracy on the other side of the border, that’s probably a good thing for us as well. So I am hopeful that that will happen, and I’m hopeful that there will be international partners who will see it fit to rise to the challenge and do something good for a change when it comes to Gaza.
TML: What are the biggest obstacles that the IDF is facing now as they’re trying to wrap up this war, particularly in the north?
Lt. Col. Conricus: Yeah, I don’t think we’re quite there yet. Mentally, we are definitely not thinking about wrapping up. We are knee-deep in fighting, and there still is a lot of heavy lifting to be done. Hamas still has combat capabilities in southern Gaza and still needs to be eliminated.
We still need to take out the leadership, their command and control, and to dismantle and take away their military and administrative and financial capabilities. So that’s still ahead of us.
In the north, if you’re referring to Hizbullah, then there is also a very significant challenge. As I said before regarding Gaza, I think it’s very clear that we cannot ask our civilians to return to their homes and to be at risk of reliving the atrocities of October the 7th that happened along the Gaza border. And that the security situation needs to change.
The Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said so very clearly when he spoke with local leaders. Before we ask you to go back, before we tell you that it’s safe to go back, we will make sure that it’s safe and that the situation on the ground will not go back to what it was on October the 7th.
Obviously, the first choice that Israel [can take], or the first option that we will entertain, is not the kinetic military violence one. But if we are left with no other choices, if diplomacy fails, and other options will fail, then of course Israel will have to deal with the situation and will have to deal with the presence of this Iranian proxy at our doorsteps hundreds of yards away from Israeli communities. That is unacceptable, and it will not be the reality after the war.
Let’s hope that people, nations, and institutions that have an interest in the safety of Israelis and the integrity of the state of Lebanon will intervene soon enough, so as to avoid unnecessary bloodshed and destruction and the horrors that a war between Israel and Hizbullah may entail.
TML: Videos are circulating showing Hamas taking over humanitarian aid that’s designated for their own people. What can you add to that in terms of what you’re going through in trying to get people to the right places, suggesting where it might be a safe zone, and also the obstacles there in terms of getting humanitarian aid to the population?
Lt. Col. Conricus: Hamas colors are shining through, and it’s another example of how they have absolutely no regard for Palestinian civilians. They are just using them as cannon fodder, as human shields, and as pawns in their political efforts against Israel. That’s very cynical, but it’s very obvious for anybody who is honest enough and can see.
Yeah, so the true colors of Hamas are showing. It’s evident that they absolutely have no regard for civilians, or Palestinian civilians. They continue to use them as their human shields and as expendable assets in their political game against Israel.
We see them looting UNRWA warehouses. We see them taking over humanitarian trucks and convoys. We see them stealing fuel. We see them stealing food and medicine that is intended through the generous aid of the US and the help of Egypt and many other parts of the international community they are intended for good humanitarian purposes. And many around the world hope that it will get to their civilian addresses.
But at the end of the day, Hamas has one goal. Their goal is jihad, holy war against Israel. They want to annihilate Israel. They want to do the October 7th massacre again and again and again, and for that aim they have no problem taking humanitarian aid, with stealing fuel, or with taking food that is intended for Palestinian children in hospitals in Gaza and bringing underground into their tunnels for their fighters to have instead of civilians. So it’s abundantly clear.
We’ve been saying all along that Hamas abuses the civilian population. Our hope is that more and more people around the world will see reality and acknowledge the fact that Hamas is violating everything that is supposed to be holy, and any of the basic tenets of humanity. They are committing crimes against humanity on a daily basis.
And I hope, really hope, that [the] UN and other humanitarian organizations will finally come around and speak the truth about what’s happening in Gaza and call Hamas out for what it is: a terrorist organization that brutally abuses the civilian population. And it is about high time that UNRWA and other organizations call [out] Hamas for what it is and start helping us save Palestinians from the horrors of warfare and get them out of the battle zone, provide them with international humanitarian aid, and make sure that it doesn’t go into the wrong hands of Hamas.
TML: The clock is ticking, and the families of the hostages are deeply concerned that they may not see their loved ones. It’s a big difficulty for the Israel Defense Forces, especially now when you are pushing forward with possibly flooding tunnels. What do you do? How do you secure those hostages at this moment?
Lt. Col. Conricus: As I said, it’s a very very sensitive topic, and an extremely complex and very challenging mission. Because of the sensitivity, I can’t go into the exact details of the tactics of it. What I can say is that it is a top priority of the IDF to get all of the hostages back. We spare no efforts [in] intelligence, manpower, [and] resources in locating the hostages and trying to bring them home.
Unfortunately, one effort that we conducted a few days ago ended with us only being able to return the bodies of hostages, but we will continue to collect intelligence, devise plans, and where feasible, execute plans in order to get the people back.
We are aware of the situation, and I think that one thing that should be said is that for 68 days these Israelis have been held in inhumane conditions and the Red Cross has not yet found the ability or the political will to actually go implement their mandate and visit these hostages. Many of them [are] women, children and civilians, but soldiers have rights as well under the Geneva Conventions. All of them are entitled to a visit by the Red Cross to make sure that they are receiving medical help, that they are safe, and that their basic needs are taken care of.
That is what’s supposed to happen. Sadly, it has not yet happened, and it wouldn’t be a minute too soon once the Red Cross actually gets access and implements its mandate.
TML: Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, international spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces, thank you for your time. And I wish you strength.
Lt. Col. Conricus: Thank you. Thank you, Felice.
Newly elected Prime Minister Kier Starmer put the Gaza war and a two-state solution high on his foreign policy agenda, with calls to both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday.
Starmer underscored Great Britain’s commitment to recognizing Palestinian statehood in his conversation with Abbas.
He noted that Great Britain could recognize Palestinian statehood during the process for a two-state solution rather than at the end of one.
It’s a stance that had been held by former Foreign Secretary David Cameron from the Conservative Party, but who had said that the time to do so was not now.Starmer brought the issue up in his first phone call with Abbas. A readout of the call from 10 Downing Street framed it this way: “Discussing the importance of reform, and ensuring international legitimacy for Palestine, the Prime Minister said that his longstanding policy on recognition to contribute to a peace process had not changed, and it was the undeniable right of Palestinians.”
Abbas affirmed his commitment to a two-state resolution to the conflict and underscored the importance of British unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood, according to WAFA, the Palestine News & Information Agency.
WAFA further reported that newly appointed Foreign Secretary David Lammy would soon visit the region, including the West Bank.
Calls made by the UK’s new PM
Starmer’s calls with Netanyahu and Abbas were the 14th and 15th ones he made to heads of government or international blocs since taking office on Friday. His first call was to US President Joe Biden, his second was to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his third was to European Union European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The British politician swept into office on Friday as the head of the left-wing Labour Party, marking a dramatic upset for the United Kingdom which has been ruled by the right-wing Conservative Party since 2010.
Starmer had worked since his wresting of the party’s helm from its former leader Jeremy Corbyn, to distance Labour from the anti-Israel and antisemitic accusations leveled against it during the Corbyn years.
He alluded to that transformation in his victory speech on Thursday night, when he said it took four-and-a-half years to change the party.
“This is what it is for, a changed Labour Party,” he said.
Pundits have speculated that Starmer, whose wife Victoria is Jewish will maintain the strong Israeli-British ties, but would be more critical of Israel with respect to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak had been one of Israel’s staunch allies during these last nine months when it has fought Iranian proxies on its southern and northern borders.
Great Britain was also one of five armies that took to the skies in April to defend Israel against an Iranian drone and missile attack.
Starmer told Netanyahu he looked forward to “further deepening the close relationship between the two countries” as the two men discussed the “importance of regional security in the Middle East,” according to Downing Street.
The British Prime Minister said he was “committed to continuing the UK and Israel’s vital cooperation to deter malign threats,” Downing Street said in its readout of the call. Starmer also said he was concerned by the cross-border violence between the IDF and Hezbollah as he called on all parties to act cautiously.
Lammy told Reuters he wanted a balanced position on the war in the Middle East and would use diplomatic efforts to ensure a ceasefire is reached and the remaining 120 hostages held by Hamas are released.
“The time has come for the United Kingdom to reconnect with the outside world,” Lammy said in an interview in Berlin.
“I want to get back to a balanced position on Israel and Gaza. We’ve been very clear that we want to see a ceasefire … We want to see those hostages out.”
He added: “The fighting has to stop, the aid has got to get in, and I will use all diplomatic efforts to ensure that we get to that ceasefire.”
Lammy did not elaborate.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Israel has long experienced strife with its neighbors, and the country of Lebanon is no exception.
The two countries have fought multiple conflicts, and tensions have always remained high along the border. And in recent months, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas War, experts fear a dangerous escalation between the two countries seems more likely.
But what is the Israel-Lebanon conflict? How did it start? Who are the key players involved?
Here is everything you need to know.Where is Israel?
Israel is a country in the Middle East, specifically in the Levant region. It is steeped in thousands of years of history and has been the home of numerous civilizations and religious faiths.
Israel is bordered by Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the Palestinian territories and is on the coast of both the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.
While most countries consider Tel Aviv its capital, Israel and a few other countries, such as the United States, recognize Jerusalem as the capital. Its largest city in the North is Haifa.
Israel also has control over a region known as the Golan Heights, which borders Syria and Lebanon. Israel formally annexed the territory, and its sovereignty was recognized by the US, but other countries only see it as occupied territory.
Where is Lebanon?
Lebanon is an Arab country in the Middle East bordered only by Israel and Syria. Its coastline is along the Mediterranean Sea, and the island nation of Cyprus is relatively close by across the sea. Lebanon’s capital city is Beirut.
Like Israel, Lebanon has a rich history going back thousands of years. It has been home to numerous religious faiths and nations throughout the ages. Most recently, it was a French colony before becoming independent in the 1940s.
How long is the Israel-Lebanon border?
The Israel-Lebanon border is an ongoing debate, and neither of the two countries involved has agreed upon it.
According to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the de facto border, around 120 kilometers long, is known as the Blue Line. It is a demarcation line separating Israel and the Golan Heights from Lebanon. However, it is considered a mere withdrawal line, not a permanent border.
Currently, several locations along this line are the subject of a dispute over sovereignty between Israel and Lebanon, including the town of Ghajar, the Shebaa Farms, and the peak of Rosh Hanikra.
A dispute also existed over the Israeli-Lebanon maritime border, specifically over control of the Kana and Karish natural gas fields, but this dispute was settled in 2022.
Why are Israel and Lebanon enemies?
This is a complicated question with considerable history attached.
Israel and Lebanon have been enemies since 1948 when Lebanon took part in the Arab attack on the nascent Jewish state in the War of Independence. Since then, they have officially been enemy states.
Relations were worsened during the Lebanese Civil War and the first Israeli-Lebanon War (see below), and the two countries don’t have ties to this day.
The issue has a lot of nuances and factors in hostile elements in Lebanon, such as Hezbollah (see below).
Why did Israel invade Lebanon in 1982?
Israel had been in conflict with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) for years. The organization had taken root in southern Lebanon and had launched a series of attacks against Israel, with the IDF having launched counterattacks.
After an assassination attempt by Palestinian terrorists on Israeli ambassador Shlomo Argov, then-Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin ordered the invasion of Lebanon to wipe out the PLO.
It should be noted that many historians and records point to the Abu Nidal Organization, rather than the PLO, as being behind the assassination attempt at the behest of Iraq to spark a war in Lebanon. Still, ultimately, the stated goal of the invasion was to target the PLO and its Syrian allies.
To do this, Israel allied with Maronite Christian groups such as the Lebanese Front and the Phalangists and swept into Southern Lebanon and occupied it. The result was the PLO relocating out of Lebanon and the installation of a new regime under Bachir Gemayel.
However, Israel couldn’t maintain its position in the area following Gemayel’s assassination and the Sabra and Shalita massacre, where Israel’s Phalangist allies massacred Palestinian civilians.
Why did Israel leave Lebanon?
As Israeli public opinion towards the war continued to sour and after a peace treaty became more and more unlikely to happen, the IDF had to withdraw to southern Lebanon, which they finished doing in 1985.
Occupying southern Lebanon allowed Israel to establish a security buffer, keeping mainland Israel safe from cross-border attacks by Palestinian terrorist groups.
However, Lebanese and Palestinian forces continued to wage a guerilla conflict against Israel and its allies over the next 15 years as the occupation continued to worsen relations with locals.
Eventually, Hezbollah became the dominant guerilla force in the region and was able to threaten the Galilee region with rocket fire and psychological warfare, which Israel struggled to combat against.
Eventually, in 2000, then-Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak withdrew from southern Lebanon unilaterally, fulfilling his campaign promise.
What is Hezbollah?
Hezbollah is a Shi’ite Islamist terrorist group and political party in Lebanon founded in 1985. It was initially established as a response to the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon and quickly came under the backing of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Hezbollah, led currently by Hassan Nasrallah, swiftly became the dominant armed group in Lebanon and was able to help push Israel out of southern Lebanon. Its fighters are well-trained and have also participated in conflicts in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Syria.
Over the years, Hezbollah has grown in power, being widely considered to be better equipped and trained than the Lebanese Army and arguably the strongest non-state actor anywhere in the world. It boasts tens of thousands of armed fighters, including the highly-trained Radwan Force commandos, and a wide range of rockets, missiles, drones, tanks, and other armored vehicles. Much of its military funding and training comes from its ally Iran.
Hezbollah has also achieved political power, winning control of large swathes of the Lebanese parliament during elections. It maintains its own affiliated news outlets, social services, radio and satellite TV stations, and more. It has gained so much power in Lebanon that many refer to Hezbollah as a state within a state.
However, Hezbollah is widely considered a terrorist organization around the world, though many, like the European Union, argue that only its military wing is a terrorist organization while its political faction is not. Exceptions to this trend include Russia, Iraq, China, North Korea, Syria, and Algeria.
In addition, Hezbollah has maintained that its primary goal is the destruction of Israel.
How many missiles does Hezbollah have aimed at Israel?
In late October 2023, publicly available sources gathered by the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) at Tel Aviv University and the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) noted that Hezbollah had around 150,000 missiles and rockets of various types. These include short-range rockets to guided missiles, anti-ship, anti-tank, and surface-to-air missiles. Some of these missiles, such as the Fateh-110, could reach well into Israel’s South, with a range of around 300 kilometers. These missiles, unlike rockets, are also very accurate, boasting GPS navigation.
This is also without mentioning an unknown number of drones in Hezbollah’s possession.
However, these exact figures are outdated as the war has raged on, and the current statistics are unknown.
Why did Hezbollah attack Israel in 2006?
On July 12, 2006, Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel in a diversionary tactic, carrying out a targeted anti-tank missile strike on IDF vehicles, killing eight soldiers and taking two others prisoner, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev.
Hezbollah proceeded to demand certain prisoners be freed in exchange for the Israeli soldiers. Still, Israel instead carried out a military assault, sending ground troops into southern Lebanon while striking targets from the air and sea.
Hezbollah’s motivation appears to be to force Israel into a prisoner exchange, though they also claimed issue with Israel’s continued control over the disputed Shebaa Farms.
Why is Israel attacking in Lebanon?
The current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah was started just a day after Hamas attacked Israel, carrying out the October 7 Massacre.
That very next day, Hezbollah carried out attacks on the Shebaa Farms and declared support for Hamas’s actions.
This was further exacerbated by Hamas and other armed Palestinian groups in Lebanon carrying out attacks on Israel, as well as Israel’s tensions with Iran.
Following this, tensions have continued to escalate as both sides trade fire over the border, and many in Israel are raising calls to launch a more extensive campaign to eliminate Hezbollah to preserve Israel’s security interests.
Hundreds have already been killed or wounded due to the conflict, and it remains to be seen how this will escalate going forward.
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‘When America’s weak, the axis strengthens’: Fmr. Mossad official says Hezbollah fears war
Oded Ilam, a former senior Mossad official, spoke recently with Arel Segal on his show on 103FM radio to discuss the implications of Biden’s failure in the recent presidential debate against Donald Trump and the possible escalation in the North.
Ilam began by saying, “The Americans, although I don’t think they are anti-Israeli, continue to misunderstand the situation we are in. Biden and his administration have their hearts in the right place. The famous ‘warning’ that Biden gave to the Iranians didn’t move them at all. They attacked Israel anyway, and the American response was that the administration issued condolences for Raisi’s death. The American administration repeatedly shows weakness, which is also reflected in the ongoing negotiations.”
“Every time Hamas does not accept a deal with Israel, we are forced to step back two more steps. It is hard for me to see a situation where Hamas allows us to write up another agreement that doesn’t include withdrawing from the Philadelphi Corridor,” Ilam noted. “I can assume that when America is weak, the axis strengthens. This confrontation is very significant. I saw Biden’s performance in Atlanta, where he was different than at the recent debate. He was excellent. The same team that advised him to go to the debate is exactly the same team that shapes America’s policy.”
Israel-Lebanon conflict parties aim to avoid war
Ilam further added that “the Israel-Lebanon situation is interesting. All four main players, the US, Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel, do not want war. The one who least wants war is Nasrallah, who entered the situation in a very difficult state, both economically and in terms of his legitimacy from within Lebanon itself.”
“All four players do not want war. Nasrallah is waiting for the moment when Sinwar signs an agreement. I think they are sending him messages to urge him to sign. Even if this does not happen, the chance of a full-scale war decreases in favor of a settlement. Is a settlement good for Israel based on the current situation? That is another question,” Ilam concluded.
Edited by Michal Kedosh for 103FM radio.
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