The IDF is expected to complete the troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon in compliance with the UN-brokered cease-fire agreement, Resolution 1701, in the coming days. There are, however, major concerns about the ongoing Hizbullah threat among members of the General Staff and military intelligence.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in pre-holiday media interviews, boasted that the war in Lebanon was a success, and said that the Hizbullah threat had been neutralized. Olmert admitted there were problems in the war, but stated emphatically that Israel emerged the victor and that Hizbullah is now well-aware of “new realities” in terms of thoughts of attacking Israel in the future.
Military intelligence, on the other hand, is not as comfortable with the outcome of the war, and fears that the upcoming troop withdrawal may leave the northern border in a compromised state.
Who Will Disarm Hizbullah?
While the international UNIFIL stabilization force is being deployed in southern Lebanon alongside Lebanese army forces, Israel is less than satisfied with compliance, especially regarding the ceasefire resolution's requirement for Hizbullah's disarmament. At present, neither UNFIL forces nor the Lebanese military appear willing to undertake the mission, following steadfast Hizbullah refusal to do so. Hizbullah still possesses thousands of long-range surface-to-surface missiles that can strike the heart of Israeli population centers.
UN: Lebanese Army Responsible for Disarming Hizbullah
UN officials insist that the responsibility for disarming Hizbullah rests solely with Lebanese army forces, explaining the international force is only intended to serve as a back-up for the 15,000 Lebanese army troops. UN officials taking part in pre-withdrawal talks with IDF commanders explain the international force will monitor the situation, but will not take the initiative to disarm Hizbullah terrorists in the area of Israel’s northern border.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz told cabinet ministers this week that the last details of the withdrawal are being completed and he expects IDF troops to leave southern Lebanon in the coming days. The ceasefire went into effect in mid August, but several thousand IDF soldiers are still stationed in Lebanon.
US Experts: Hizbullah Continues to Pose a Threat
A State Department counter-terror official, Frank Urbancic, told the House of Representatives this week that the Hizbullah threat continues, and that is directed not only against Israel, but also against American and Lebanese government interests.
FBI counter-terrorism analysts concur, labeling Hizbullah a “well-trained” and “most-capable” terror organization that still poses a viable threat against Israel and western interests in the Mideast.
FBI official John Kavanagh documents close cooperation between Hizbullah and Iran, calling the terror organization a “willing partner” in striking out against US interests. Kavanagh points out that the terror organization enjoys significant support, pointing to its ability to begin rehabilitating itself immediately after the war with Israel, as well as significantly contributing to humanitarian efforts in Lebanon.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in pre-holiday media interviews, boasted that the war in Lebanon was a success, and said that the Hizbullah threat had been neutralized. Olmert admitted there were problems in the war, but stated emphatically that Israel emerged the victor and that Hizbullah is now well-aware of “new realities” in terms of thoughts of attacking Israel in the future.
Military intelligence, on the other hand, is not as comfortable with the outcome of the war, and fears that the upcoming troop withdrawal may leave the northern border in a compromised state.
Who Will Disarm Hizbullah?
While the international UNIFIL stabilization force is being deployed in southern Lebanon alongside Lebanese army forces, Israel is less than satisfied with compliance, especially regarding the ceasefire resolution's requirement for Hizbullah's disarmament. At present, neither UNFIL forces nor the Lebanese military appear willing to undertake the mission, following steadfast Hizbullah refusal to do so. Hizbullah still possesses thousands of long-range surface-to-surface missiles that can strike the heart of Israeli population centers.
UN: Lebanese Army Responsible for Disarming Hizbullah
UN officials insist that the responsibility for disarming Hizbullah rests solely with Lebanese army forces, explaining the international force is only intended to serve as a back-up for the 15,000 Lebanese army troops. UN officials taking part in pre-withdrawal talks with IDF commanders explain the international force will monitor the situation, but will not take the initiative to disarm Hizbullah terrorists in the area of Israel’s northern border.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz told cabinet ministers this week that the last details of the withdrawal are being completed and he expects IDF troops to leave southern Lebanon in the coming days. The ceasefire went into effect in mid August, but several thousand IDF soldiers are still stationed in Lebanon.
US Experts: Hizbullah Continues to Pose a Threat
A State Department counter-terror official, Frank Urbancic, told the House of Representatives this week that the Hizbullah threat continues, and that is directed not only against Israel, but also against American and Lebanese government interests.
FBI counter-terrorism analysts concur, labeling Hizbullah a “well-trained” and “most-capable” terror organization that still poses a viable threat against Israel and western interests in the Mideast.
FBI official John Kavanagh documents close cooperation between Hizbullah and Iran, calling the terror organization a “willing partner” in striking out against US interests. Kavanagh points out that the terror organization enjoys significant support, pointing to its ability to begin rehabilitating itself immediately after the war with Israel, as well as significantly contributing to humanitarian efforts in Lebanon.