Sunday, September 18, 2022
I've Been Thinking:

According to Israel’s Military Intelligence Chief, Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva, Hezbollah is the main hurdle stopping Lebanon from normalizing diplomatic ties with Israel.

The Major General made his comment about the terrorist organization when speaking at the annual conference of the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) at Reichman University.

Haliva argued that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is not a pawn under the aegis of Iran, but rather, an independent actor and a partner in Tehran's decision-making process in the region.

He said: "In the framework of regional developments, Nasrallah does his calculations with the Second Lebanon War seared deep into his memory. Nasrallah is revered in Iran, and my working assumption and the IDF's is that he is not a vassal, but a partner in decision-making with the Iranians. It is likely that under certain scenarios, Hezbollah — and Nasrallah at its head — will join Iran's cycle of violence."

Haliva also offered a piece of advice and a stern warning to Nasrallah when he said:

"We have raised the possibility of a potential escalation on the northern front in front of decision-makers. I hope for Nasrallah that he does not underestimate the Israeli response if he decides to escalate matters.”

"I'm reminding you that we shot down the drones that Nasrallah launched at the gas rig, and there was no response from Hezbollah. Israel's might is immense, and I am sure that Hezbollah understands this and does not want to test us. Nasrallah is a serious man and knows what I am talking about."

"The Lebanese people wake up in the morning with no electricity in their homes. The value of the currency is in very poor condition and life there is very difficult. The state of Lebanon — like other countries that Iran has funded, such as Iraq, Yemen, and Syria — is at the bottom of every global parameter of failed states," he said.

"A Lebanese gas rig is an Israeli interest, and also improving the economic situation of the Lebanese people is in Israel's interest. Even the Lebanese people understand what the outcome of war is and that it provides a seedbed for radical development and we should invest our efforts there. Israel is an asset country that has water, technology, and food in addition to military might. Arab countries are aware of that, and that's what led to the Abraham Accords."

Nasrallah was obviously not at the Conference, but the message got through to him loud and clear.

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