IDF Radio: High Probability of Hezbollah Joining War

Israeli Army Radio reported, citing an assessment said to have been raised by the Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate "Aman" to the political leadership, that the probability of "Hezbollah" joining any new war between Israel and Iran is "very high," whether immediately upon its outbreak or shortly after. According to the estimate cited by the radio station, the party may resume its attacks on northern Israeli towns in this scenario.

It added that the Israeli army is preparing for the possibility of renewed fighting on the northern front if confrontation with Iran resumes. It claimed that Israel has recently observed activities it says Hezbollah is carrying out to enhance its military capabilities behind what it calls the "Yellow Line" in Lebanon.

The radio station alleged that "Hezbollah" possesses thousands of attack drones, including fiber-optic drones, and that it imports civilian drones and equips them with explosive warheads in assembly facilities inside Lebanon.

It quoted "Aman" as estimating that dozens of Hezbollah operatives have received training on operating these drones.

It noted that attacks by Hezbollah drones resulted in the killing of 16 Israeli soldiers during the last war, pointing out that the Israeli army has not yet found an effective enough means to intercept fiber-optic drones.

The radio station quoted the Israeli army's estimate that "Hezbollah" possesses around 10,000 rockets and missiles, most of which are designated to target northern Israeli towns, while a limited number can reach longer distances.

It claimed that Hezbollah stores long-range missiles in underground facilities in the Bekaa Valley, noting that previous Israeli bombardment led to the closure of their entrances. It added, based on what it described as Israeli information, that Hezbollah has not yet attempted to extract the missiles from under the rubble.

Israeli scenarios include infiltration and attempts to kidnap soldiers

It reported that the Israeli army includes among its scenarios the possibility of its forces deployed inside Lebanese territory being attacked. The scenarios mentioned include infiltration by "Hezbollah" groups into the area where those forces are deployed, planting improvised explosive devices, engaging in clashes with soldiers, up to attempting to kidnap one of them, under the cover of fog or darkness.

It quoted a senior Israeli military official saying that the army is preparing to face this possibility, and that its forces moved during recent months whenever they detected what they considered preparations for operations of this type.