Israel Boasts of 'Unimaginable' Power in Future Lebanon War
The head of Israel's air force said Wednesday that in any future conflict involving Lebanon his country will have "unimaginable" military power at its disposal.
Major General Amir Eshel told a security conference that Israel's armed forces now have far more punch than they did in the 2006 war against Lebanon's Hizbullah.
"What the air force was able to do quantitatively in the... Lebanon war over the course of 34 days we can do today in 48-60 hours," he told the conference at Herzliya, near Tel Aviv.
"This is potential power unimaginable in its scope, much different to what we have seen in the past and far greater than people estimate."
Israel launched massive airstrikes and its troops crossed into Lebanon after Hizbullah seized two soldiers in a deadly cross-border raid on July 12, 2006 in a war that killed more than 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and more than 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.
Hizbullah fired thousands of rockets from Lebanon during the conflict.
Since then Israel has built up a sophisticated defense system, including the Iron Dome short-range interceptor which has successfully brought down rockets fired from Syria, Lebanon, Egypt's lawless Sinai region and the Gaza Strip.
It also has the medium-range David's Sling and the Arrow missile defense system, designed to counter more distant threats.
The Israeli army said that an Arrow was deployed in March to destroy a Syrian rocket which posed a "ballistic threat" during Israeli air strikes which drew retaliatory missile fire.
The Israeli air force has also started taking delivery of 50 advanced F-35 warplanes from the United States.
Eshel did not draw a scenario for a future war with Lebanon or Syria, saying only that Israel must strike hard and fast in case of conflict.
"If war breaks out in the north, we have to open with all our strength from the start," he said.
"Threats to Israel air force aircraft in the Lebanese arena will not stop the air force. They may disrupt operations here and there but that will not stop us."
He went on to warn Lebanese civilians of dangers to them posed by alleged Hizbullah military installations in residential areas.
"There is a very potential for collateral damage, for harming people who are not involved, people who we have no wish to harm," he said.
"If before the eruption of hostilities, or right when they begin, Lebanese residents were to leave those places they will not be hit."
almost 7 years
giga troll just entered the Guinness book of records: 24 hours non-stop trolling.
almost 7 years
"This bravado is mainly to calm their own panicking troops"
Loool, who makes up this stuff?
almost 7 years
yeah, he talks to 'their panicking' troops regularly and he knows;)
almost 7 years
Finish off the job next time.
almost 7 years
Should finish you off too next time you go to Lebanon, Israeli spy.
almost 7 years
Mystic, don't try your luck. Daddy's patience with you is running out.
almost 7 years
Your dad is ten different men.
Trump is a coward and he dodged his draft to Vietnam with his wealth.
almost 7 years
Stop harassing my daughter!
Your coordinates are at hand and I will be sending you on a Tomahawk Cruise to vacation with your Mahdi soon, all expenses paid.
almost 7 years
Get a real life instead of roleplaying on Naharnet.
almost 7 years
Look who's talking^
almost 7 years
Go eat McDonalds and worship your God Trump Saudi scum.
You're one to bark, hiding behind America dirty Arabs.
almost 7 years
Hello Southern.... Where have you been? You have not posted in a long time? Is everything in order?
almost 7 years
lol he was living in his alien new world order:)
almost 7 years
Iran and Israel: Two drama queens illegally occupying land that's not theirs. Lovers too ;)
almost 7 years
Yeah they kinda don't want everyone to know that lol. Watch the suppression and insults fly from those fake accounts now.
almost 7 years
bless anyone person, entity, organization, brigade or country that inflicts extreme pain and unbearable suffering, death, torture, and destruction upon the iranian sectarian terrorist militia and its members, sponsors, supporters or followers wherever they may be.
almost 7 years
Anyone with only half a brain would have imagined what was going to happened in 2006 by just watching what had happened in Gaza only a couple of weeks previous and for a lesser act. Alas the half brain minimum requirement in a decision maker is sometimes what is sorely lacking and tragedy ensues:
Hassan Nasrallah (decision maker): "We did not think, even one percent, that the capture would lead to a war at this time and of this magnitude. You ask me, if I had known on July 11 ... that the operation would lead to such a war, would I do it? I say no, absolutely not"
almost 7 years
Nasrallah is lying! Of course he knew what the result was going to be, all the death, the destruction, the losses etc; he may be many things but he's not an idiot and as you say Gaza was completely flattened for much less only a few weeks before. The orders came from Tehran which was under pressure from the international community regarding the nuclear file and the war in Lebanon took the pressure off. Nasrallah all but admits that he cannot refuse an Iranian direct order no matter what it's ramifications will be on Lebanon or on the well being of the people of Lebanon. He lied to the Lebanese people when he promised a calm summer and just like he's lying in this interview. The man is a sociopath and the idiots are those who believe what he says.
almost 7 years
The Irony, Movaten names himself farmacia, especially given the drugs his group is responsible for creating and distributing. Touche!
almost 7 years
LOL, Movaten^ again resorting to fake accounts like a spoiled millennial. Thanks for proving me right, nice job with the inbred assumptions too, big man ;)
Lol, did you earn an Iranian Riyal for that one?