– The center of gravity shifts northwards as extra resources and forces are moved there. We are on the threshold of a new phase in the war, it requires courage, steadfastness and perseverance from us, Gallant told Israeli soldiers at a military base on Wednesday, according to journalist Emanuel Fabian on X. The defense minister made the statement after Hezbollah has been two days in a row attacked with a series of explosions on pagers and other electronic equipment. Even before the attacks against Hezbollah, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear that Israel will now turn its attention to the north. In practice, it means towards Lebanon. where Hezbollah resides. – Returning residents to the northern parts of the country is now one of Israel’s official goals with the war in Gaza, Netanyahu said on Monday. On Wednesday night, he repeated the goal. Soldiers from the 98th Division in the ruins of Gaza on August 20 this year. Now the paratroopers are sent to the border with Lebanon. Photo: Image from the Israeli army / AFP Sending paratroopers On Wednesday, it became clear that a division from the Israeli army is being moved from the south to the north border, writes the Times of Israel. We are talking about the 98th division, which consists of paratroopers and is referred to by Israel National News as an elite force. The division consists of between 10,000 and 20,000 men and joins the forces that Israel already has on the northern border. – Could be the first phase – I think this is the most tense thing we have had in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah since 7 October, says Jørgen Jensehaugen. Photo: ISMAIL BURAK AKKAN / news Middle East expert and senior researcher at the peace research institute Prio, Jørgen Jensehaugen, says that the attacks on Hezbollah can be interpreted in two ways: – One is that it is a large-scale Israeli two-pronged attack on Hezbollah’s communications equipment, and then they wait and see if Hezbollah responds. ‘ – The other way of looking at it is that this is the first phase of Israel starting a war against Hezbollah. To take out communication networks first, and then start the war. Jensehaugen says that we do not know which of the two scenarios applies. He believes that Gallant’s statements can be interpreted in both ways. – On the one hand, it could mean that Israel is now prepared for a large-scale response, and that they must have troops in place in case that happens. But it can also be interpreted as now they are preparing for an attack on Hezbollah, says Jensehaugen. He adds that this shows that now it is more serious than it has been previously in this war. – So far, Hezbollah has shown itself to be remarkably wait-and-see in its response, but that can quickly turn around, he says. An Israeli firefighter in action on Wednesday to stop a fire that started after a rocket was fired from Lebanon into northern Israel. Photo: Reuters Barth Eide fears a major war Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide (Ap) tells TV2 that the situation is exceptionally dramatic. – What we have really feared at the top of this is that there will be an international war, and now we are probably closer to that than we have been for a very long time, he says. The foreign minister says the question now is how Hezbollah and Iran will react to the attacks, and whether a major regional war is brewing. – It is very serious, and this is a problem far beyond the Middle East itself, Barth Eide. Improves Mossad’s reputation The New York Times writes that the attack on Hezbollah helps to improve the reputation of the Israeli intelligence organization Mossad. The Mossad has received a lot of criticism for not having notified the Hamas attacks on 7 October last year. – On 7 October last year, both the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Mossad suffered many scratches in the paintwork. Many have been waiting for the Mossad to distinguish itself again, says special adviser in the Defense Staff, Hanne Eggen Røislien. She says that the last two days’ attacks on Hezbollah have many characteristics that link the operation to Mossad. – They have also previously carried out military operations that have gone down in the history books. Through such an operation, they show what they are capable of carrying out. It could be an attempt to make a mark as an important player again, says Røslien. Published 18.09.2024, at 19.41 Updated 18.09.2024, at 20.22
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Israel’s defense minister says they are moving forces and resources to the north – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
