Yair Golan, the Major General of the Northern Command, has warned the world at large that Israel’s situation with Lebanon is extremely volatile.
“The situation on the border [with Lebanon] is explosive and the smallest spark can cause a border clash – even if neither side is looking to engage in fighting,” Golan told French newspaper Le Figaro on Tuesday.
Golan, who provided the interview before three IDF soldiers were injured in a bomb attack in the Golan Heights – which appears to have been an attempted kidnapping – also noted that Sunni jihadis in Syria had turned their eyes against Israel. “After Assad, Israel will be their next target,” the general stated.
He elaborated that in light of recent escalations – including the infiltration of the border with Lebanon by terrorists – the IDF is in the midst of taking several drastic measures to ramp up security. Among them, the general claimed, are the building of a “smart” fence to help detection and a greater focus on gathering intelligence.
“There are only about 300 fighters” building on the border so far, according to Golan, “and they haven’t attacked yet.” But he stressed that the IDF is making preparations, nonetheless, ahead of a possible border clash.
Hezbollah Building an Arsenal
Maj. Gen. Golan noted that since the Second Lebanon War concluded in 2006, Hezbollah has maintained a “status quo” along the border with Israel – but added that the Shi’ite organization has been making a “supreme” effort to obtain weapons made in Iran or Russia, transported via Syria.
“Hezbollah seeks to bridge the gap in the quality of their arsenal versus ours, and increase its military capabilities,” Golan stated.
“A Third Lebanon War will not be limited to air strikes, and we will use all our capabilities, including sea and land, to remove the destructive capacity of the enemy,” Golan warned. Maj. Gen. Golan also referred to the fact that Hezbollah invest its money and resources in developing bases in civilian areas – both in and underneath villages in southern Lebanon.
“This fact will not prevent us from using force to defend our citizens,” he threatened.
