Israeli Military Sees No Hizbullah Reaction to Syria Strike, Mulls 'Cooperation' with Lebanese Army
Israel doesn't expect a Syrian or Lebanese response to an airstrike in Syria attributed to Israel earlier this week since they are too tied up with that country's bloody civil war and can't afford to open another front, a senior Israeli military officer said Wednesday.
The officer said Hizbullah fighters had the capability, but not the motivation, at this time to harm Israel and there was no "logic" to picking a fight with Israel while it was knee-deep in battling a Sunni insurgency.
"I don't see any reason why in 2015 Hizbullah will turn to Israel, there is no logic to that way of thinking," he said in a briefing with reporters at military headquarters. "But if you are talking about capacity and the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) should be ready to deal with any capability of any one of its enemies. The capability of Hizbullah is growing every year."
He spoke on condition of anonymity according to military guidelines.
The Syrian military says Israeli warplanes struck near Damascus' international airport Sunday, as well as outside a town close to the Lebanese border.
Since Syria's conflict began in March 2011, Israel has carried out several airstrikes in Syria that have targeted sophisticated weapons systems, including Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles and Iranian-made missiles, believed to be destined for Hizbullah, with whom Israel battled in an intense month-long war in 2006.
Sunday's strike looked to be of similar nature.
Israel has tried to stay out of the war in neighboring Syria, but it has repeatedly threatened to take military action to prevent Syria from transferring sophisticated weapons to its ally Hizbullah.
As is its practice, Israel neither confirmed nor denied the most recent report. But Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon cryptically warned Tuesday that Israel "will not allow red lines to be crossed that endanger Israel's security."
"Anyone who tries to arm our enemies should know that we can go anywhere, anytime, in any way, in order to foil his plans. We will not compromise on this," he said, without addressing the airstrike directly.
The Israeli military officer also said Wednesday that the Jewish state is mulling the possibility of starting “undeclared cooperation” with the Lebanese army against the extremist Islamist groups that are operating in the region.
Tel Aviv is “contemplating the possibility of engaging in undeclared cooperation with the Lebanese army against the Sunni extremist groups despite the official state of war between the two countries,” the official said.
“The U.S.-led international coalition has gathered forces and parties that have an interest in fighting the common enemy, and accordingly Israel is also seeking to expand its security ties with Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority,” he added.
over 9 years
Pajamaboy, yes the SLA used Shi3a fighters against Hezbollah, but you can't say Hezbollah "collaborates" with Israel. Now, do they have prisoner exchanges and some under-the-table deals? Sure. And was the Hareb Tammouz a real war? That's up for debate. To me it was more of a d***-measuring contest. But to say they are working together is a little extreme. I even have a friend that says Nasrallah is the biggest Israeli agent in Lebanon lol. While it's true that Israel is a fake reason for Hezbollah to hold on to their arms and control Lebanon, you can't say they're collaborating. Hezbollah has an arsenal of rockets, and these would be used against Israel before being used against other Lebanese.
over 9 years
délire complet, il devient urgent d'aller consulter
un spécialiste (-:
over 9 years
...j'oubliais: le propre de l'idiot est de n'avoir aucune limite (-:
over 9 years
Le plus grand des délires est de ne pas voir que le caporal obéit à la Syrie et à l'Iran
over 9 years
Mbala ya Mystic there is cooperation between Israel and Lebanon and if I am not wrong that's why it's called the armistice of 1948. About the 71 years ago, I am referring to Lebanon's right of sovereignty and that matters and concerns anyone who deals with us. Now I don't know about the resistance my dear, but trust me, this resistance cannot continue to be a stick in our wheels forever, this resistance ya Mystic has lost a lot of public sympathy lately, trust me, what it had in 2000 was big, today it's the shadow of it. delaying Lebanon's constitutional continuation is a crime, Lebanon will become a real nation where everyone will one day live under the same law and in a Lebanon of strong constitutional institutions. That ya Mystic is the people's right, and not the resistance's option.
over 9 years
What kind of moronic person, says such bullcrap. Israel keeps firing at Resistance position, even if you deny it, all proof is there. Did they fire one single bullet at ISIS/Nusra? No never, in fact. They instead treat them in Hospitals, and provide them weaponry, with Hebrew letters on them.
By the way, the LAF will never cooperate with the zionists.
over 9 years
pajama, being an imbecile while seeing facts on the ground, amuses me.
The Israeli commander, just claimed that the IDF targeted, these long range missiles destined for Hezbollah, why did Israel target it, if they work together? Even the other M14 people here, aint as ignorant as you.
Israel is working hand in hand with ISIS & Al Nusra front, whether you like it or not, that is the god and honest truth. Why else do they not attack one another? They are both very close to each other in the Quneitra area.
When did the Resistance, use any sort of rockets/Missiles on Lebanese people?
Israel treated SLA in hospitals, never Resistance fighters, so drop your rhetoric here, it is becoming quite embarrasing on yourself.
over 9 years
Why is it that there is no more the "great shaitan"? It is enough that the willayat gives orders to its militia in Lebanon for changing all alliances.
A good proof is the alliance between the Alawites and the Jewish state.
The friend of my friend is my friend. Is it not?
over 9 years
...and the enemy of my enemy is my friend. There are several reasons why Israel, Syria and Iran can be tactical allies.
over 9 years
Pajama:congratulations for your comments. Excellent analysis
over 9 years
That would be great if Israel and Lebanon can cooperate together in order one day we can achieve peace
over 9 years
Absolutely...why not? But there's a big hurdle that needs to be addressed before you wish that far ahead.
Is Lebanon willing to make Palestinians permanent residents or not.
the answer will determine if your suggestion can become reality.
Palestinians are the stumbling block...not Israel or Lebanon.
over 9 years
If Lebanon (and the other Arab States)had done with the Palestinian refugees in 1948 as Israel did with the Jewish refugees from the Arab States in the same year, then there would be no problem now 66 years later.
over 9 years
Phillipo, why do you continue to flog a dead horse?
Israel doesn't want the Palestinians back...Lebanon cannot keep them.
so why not find a solution? allow the Arab nations that say the Palestinians are their brothers to take them...Prob solved!.
You & I both know, peace between Lebanon & Israel cannot happen until this issue is resolved.
over 9 years
You do not make peace with an entity whose sole purpose for existing is to carry out the dirty deeds of a higher zionist power. Israel is just a tool to facilitate compliance through out the middle east. The west is already compliant. Today its the arab world that is being destroyed. So if anyone cares to make peace with Israel, then be ready to give up a lot more than just few square kilometers of land.
over 9 years
Israel is not my friend, neither is Syria, or Daesh, Isil, Al Nusra, but then I see most of the Arab world that has a peace treaty with Israel is doing fine. I see one Islamic radicalism or the other killing a lot more people than all the wars with Israel. I see a Syria that occupied my land for decades, it stole almost everything and does so to this day. I see a Syria that took it for granted to assassinate Lebanese people of all areas, I see a Syria that never accepted that we existed till we made it spit it out. Not that I accept Israel's behaviors, or its aggressions of Palestinian rights, but Israel is out, (courtesy of the Lebanese resistance and truly thank you) but it is out and Syria is still screwing a little country called Lebanon. Trouble is this: Look for the Lebanese stooges and you will understand why Syria is still here.
over 9 years
I knew Pro-Israel Naharnet, would delete my post. So i saved it just in case -
pajama, being an imbecile while seeing facts on the ground, amuses me.
The Israeli commander, just claimed that the IDF targeted, these long range missiles destined for Hezbollah, why did Israel target it, if they work together? Even the other M14 people here, aint as ignorant as you.
Israel is working hand in hand with ISIS & Al Nusra front, whether you like it or not, that is the god and honest truth. Why else do they not attack one another? They are both very close to each other in the Quneitra area.
When did the Resistance, use any sort of rockets/Missiles on Lebanese people?
Israel treated SLA in hospitals, never Resistance fighters, so drop your rhetoric here, it is becoming quite embarrasing on yourself.
over 9 years
Mystic, there's nothing moronic about cooperation between enemies, or so-called enemies. Masalan, during the civil war years, Hashish was grown in the Bekaa valley by our Shiite siblings, then when ripe and processed would be distributed evenly between all the militias, believe me, this was happening between all militias and without any exception. So today it remains a question of priorities between the Israelis and us Lebanese. The Israelis will calculate who serves best their interests given the dynamics on the ground and would agree to mutually acceptable arrangements. So if today Hezbollah provides the best attainable security in the South, Israel and HA will tacitly agree. However priorities don't stay forever the same, they change, so if today the LAF consolidates itself further, Israel would then begin to feel that its interests would best be served with cooperation with the Lebanese State, something that should have normally happened 71 years ago.
over 9 years
Israel didn't even exist for 71 years ago phoenix.
I see no cooperation between LAF and Israel, and neither will the Resistance ever consider it.
As much as you hate that fact, ya 7abibi. Then you need to let go of that slight hope, it will not be allowed. Lebanon and Israel are still at war, now to this day.
over 9 years
Insofar as lebanon is concerned today
ISIS is the aggressive EBOLA virus
Assad is an insidious Cancer
HA and other syrian junk are manifestations of the cancer
Israel is the flu
over 9 years
Racism is the fatal disease Lebanon is handing on to its children. If you are a religious person, racism is idolatry. If you are not, racism is the opposite of rule-of-law. Not only does "Lebanon" (the alleged government, not the people) try to hold the Shia majority in slavery, and in order to get Arab dictators' and Western warlords' help, this aklleged government sells itself into slavery to them. Look at Israel if you think racism is a workable form of government. It's a madhouse, where it is illegal to be sane. Lebanon is not that far gone.
over 9 years
Racist chrisrushlau please give us the evidence of Shia majority, rather than your truthiness
Lebanese Elections 2009 official numbers
3,144,699 total number of voters - 1,890,911 are Muslim and 1,253,788 are Christian.
Voter list
Sunnis 27.2 %
Shiites 26.7%
Maronite Christians 20.9%
Others (including Orthodox Christians, Melkite Greek Catholic Christians, Druze, minorities ) 25.2%
over 9 years
Shia Pet!
over 9 years
Nasrallah told Bogdanov: “You can tell the Israelis that Lebanon’s southern borders are the safest place in the world because all of our attention is focused on what is happening in Syria, Hezbollah does not harbor any intention of taking any action against Israel.” May 23, 2013
over 9 years
Sure go for it, cooperate with a racist colonial state... I am not surprised since some of the people here would fit nicely with the mindset of these settlers.
I mean it is fine that you, the minortity wish this, but the entire arab world surrounding you is of a different thought.
Why don't you move to ”Israel” if you are so happy for them?
over 9 years
-phoenix 1 : "Israel would then begin to feel that its interests would best be served with cooperation with the Lebanese State, something that should have normally happened 71 years ago."
Both Israel and Lebanon realised that in 1982, when the two countries signed a preliminary to a peace treaty, only for it to be torn up by your then occupiers, Syria.
71 years ago, presuming you are refering to the independence of Lebanon. Israel's independence was only 5 years later.
over 9 years
Definition of "Others": Different from that or those implied or specified.
over 9 years
I pray for the day Lebanon has peace with Israel. What a dinamic duo that would be....
over 9 years
Sure!
mitwalis and zionists are allies against takfiris. not sunnis. please mind your language