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fighting the war as if there are no negotiations, and
negotiating as if there is no war
Avi Melamed

It is dangerous to be found in the company of God's enemies

Operation Northern Arrows - 14 October 2024

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed on 14 October 2024 that the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) will not withdraw from its areas of deployment, despite being recently subjected to attacks by the Israeli army. Sanchez criticized his Israeli counterpart , Benjamin Netanyahu, who called on Sunday for the Secretary-General of the international organization, Antonio Guterres, to remove UNIFIL "from danger immediately." "We condemn, and will continue to condemn, the statement made yesterday by Prime Minister Netanyahu, with all firmness," Sanchez said at a forum in Barcelona organised by the Prisa media group.

The European Union condemned Israel's targeting of UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon. The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, criticized Israel's accusation of anti-Semitism by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. In a joint statement, the European Union foreign ministers expressed their "deep concern" over the Israeli army's attacks on UNIFIL, calling on Israel to provide "urgent clarification" and a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

Military and strategic expert, Colonel Hatem Karim Al-Falahi, believes that Hezbollah's defensive position on the southern Lebanon front depends on several basic principles. He added that these principles are represented in 3 axes: First, the defense must be comprehensive in all directions, which is of utmost importance to the party. Second, this defense must be characterized by strategic depth, and third, it is necessary to have mutual support between the areas controlled by Hezbollah as defensive areas. Al-Falahi pointed out that the recent notable development on the southern Lebanon front is represented by the pressure operation witnessed in some areas in the western sector, where the Israeli army attempted to penetrate the defensive lines and penetrate into the Lebanese interior.

Al-Falahi described the highlands, such as Maroun al-Ras, Mays al-Jabal, Adaisseh, Kfar Kila, and Aita al-Shaab, as essential points of support in the party’s defensive strategy, explaining that these areas must be able to provide support to each other in the event of any Israeli incursion, which would enable them to direct fire at the advancing forces from different areas, thus strengthening the party’s ability to withstand. He pointed out that the Israeli army is trying to control the border areas at a depth of up to 5 kilometers inside Lebanese territory, and to focus its efforts on controlling the high and controlling areas, which are considered the key to the incursion operations into the Lebanese interior.

To achieve this goal, Al-Falahi added, the Israeli army is exerting pressure from multiple directions, starting from Kfar Kila, passing through Adaisseh and Blida, all the way to Maroun al-Ras, Ramieh and Abouneh. The military expert warned against deception and camouflage tactics in the Israeli strategy, noting that the Israeli army may resort to launching attacks on a wide front to test the weak points in the Lebanese defenses and identify areas that can be penetrated.

Military and strategic expert, Brigadier General Hassan Jouni, said that the Israeli army is trying to develop its tactics in southern Lebanon , but it is failing again in confronting the resistance. Jouni pointed out that the recent tactical changes of the Israeli army reflect its determination to advance, but have not achieved the desired results so far.

Hezbollah announced that it had thwarted two infiltration attempts by Israeli soldiers in the town of Ramyeh in southern Lebanon, while Israeli media reported a "difficult security incident" and the injury of about 20 Israeli soldiers, while the occupation army announced "face-to-face" clashes in the area. Jouni explained that the Israeli army moved from the stage of "reconnaissance by fire" to attempts to breach towards the overlooking hills, and he added that one of the manifestations of this tactical development is the rapid switch between the areas of operations, referring to the move from the direction of Ramia to Blida. Jouni explained this change by saying, “He is changing quickly with the aim of confusing Hezbollah groups and distracting their efforts from the main direction he wants to breach.”

He also pointed to another modification in the Israeli tactic, as it seems that it has changed from attacking or targeting Hezbollah's strong points and its concentration completely, to deviating from them and adopting the "encircling attack" method. Jouni explained that the encirclement means "advancing alongside Hezbollah forces in order to attack them from the side or from behind," adding that the goal of this tactic is to "occupy the heights adjacent to the border."

The Islamic Resistance announced that it had launched a missile barrage on the outskirts of Tel Aviv, in support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in support of their valiant and honorable resistance, in defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the barbaric Israeli invasion of cities, villages, and civilians.