LtCol (res.) Sarit Zehavi, former IDF Military Intelligence officer and founder of the Alma Research and Education Center in Israel
September 23, 2024
[Note: The opinions expressed by featured and guest writers are their own and do not reflect positions held by the Jerusalem Press Club]
Israel must not get carried away with the recent triumphs against Hezbollah. It appears that Hezbollah is stricken, but there are additional challenges. The successful strikes against Hezbollah over the two weeks beginning in mid-September 2024 show how important it is for Israel to be on the side of the initiator rather than the reactor. The whole idea of giving the army time to recover from the Gaza campaign never accounted for the other side’s ability to recover.
At the same time, a proposal for the “day after” should be put on the table. This proposal should be distinct from the one put forth by the Americans or the French in recent months and should be tailored to Israel’s needs and aligned with its security requirements. In addition, Hezbollah’s military power also derives from its civilian and political power. Hezbollah must be outlawed in Lebanon. A terrorist organization cannot be a political party with government membership. This is good not only for Israel’s future, but also for Lebanon’s future.
To read the full op-ed by Alma Center President and Founder Sarit Zehavi, click here.
