Lebanon
The commander of the Golan Division, Brig. Gen. Amit Fisher, talks about the difficulties involved in ensuring that the Golan Heights remain Israel’s quietest border despite the efforts of Iran and Hezbollah.
In January, Israel accused Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy with a stronghold in Lebanon, of digging what it labeled as the “longest and most detailed” border tunnel the Jewish state has yet discovered.
The two nations claim more than 300 square miles of waters, in which disputes over the past year centered on gas fields in the conflict area.
Lebanese journalist Nadim Koteich: “I support [U.S. President Donald] Trump’s and [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s anti-Iranian policy; Beirut is more important than Jerusalem or the Golan Heights.”
A military installation near the Lebanese-Syrian border is being utilized to produce precision surface-to-surface missiles, likely with Iranian backing, according to an intelligence report by ImageSat International.
“I come here as an American. I come here to try to figure out what’s best for America. What’s best for America is a safe, secure and prosperous Israel,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
“In a few days, the leaders of Cyprus and Greece will come together with ... [U.S. Secretary of State Mike] Pompeo to advance a gas pipeline from Israel to Europe via these countries,” said Israel’s prime minister.
The bill emphasizes the strategic importance of Israeli control over the area, which the Jewish state captured in the 1967 Six-Day War, in protecting civilians from threats such as from Iran in Syria and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The United States had already identified the risk of a Lebanese government with a pro-Iran majority. Several American officials visited Lebanon to warn Lebanese officials not to appoint Hezbollah politicians to top ministerial posts such as health minister, and also to warn about the ramifications of rapprochement with Iran.
The training occurred in the aftermath of “Operation Northern Shield,” which the IDF launched to destroy Hezbollah terror tunnels.
The newly formed Lebanese government has seen 30 Lebanese ministers sworn in: 18 of them are from Hezbollah’s March 8 Alliance, while 12 are from the rival March 14 alliance, headed by Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
In a video circulated on the anniversary of former commander Imad Mughniyeh’s death, the Lebanese terror organization sends a message of revenge, with images of El Al planes and Ben-Gurion Airport.
