Daily Alert

Hizbullah Opposed Israeli Plans for Limited “Battle Days,” Views Them as War

Israeli Forces Train to Combat Hizbullah’s New Capabilities
Share this
Israeli army equipment
Israeli equipment, displayed in September 2019, part of an IDF training program to prepare officers to fight against Hizbullah. (Israel Defense Forces)

Table of Contents

As the IDF’s “Lethal Arrow” exercise began in the Northern Command (October 18-25, 2020), Hizbullah declared a heightened alert of all its regular and reserve units in Lebanon and Syria.  Al-Akhbar’s editor, Ibrahim al-Amin, who serves as the mouthpiece of Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah, noted that Hizbollah’s heightened alert included the deployment of combat troops, the operational deployment of strategic (missile and rocket) units, as well as support units.

Hizbullah’s state of emergency was kept quiet; Israel followed it closely, and as far as Hizbullah was concerned, Israel received the message that Hizbullah was ready for a military confrontation. Hizbullah made it clear that the new term, “Battle Days,” which the IDF uses to define limited military action as a large conflict – but as less than an all-out war – no longer exists. The term came to replace the concept of the “campaign between the wars” in which Israel permitted itself to bomb, assassinate, and hit Hizbullah targets. Hizbullah made it clear that it would not allow Israel to change the existing “power equation” and hit its strategic assets within the framework of the “Battle Days” concept, including the enhancement activities of its missile force, particularly its missile-precision project.

Hizbullah has made it clear that it will not allow a state of limited “Battle Days,” which by their scale, they perceive as an all-out war, and, therefore, à la guerre comme à la guerre, Hizbullah will achieve its goals by all means at its disposal. As reported in Israel,  Hizbullah’s means include 150,000 missiles and rockets of various types, including precision-guided munitions (PGM) with a 10-meter accuracy radius (CEP), which can cover the entire area of Israel. In the event of war, Hizbullah will not use them to decorate Lebanon; it will not store them as before, but will use them against the central Israel Dan region – whatever is needed.

Israeli communities along the Israeli-Lebanon border
Israeli communities along the Israeli-Lebanon border – the “Blue Line” demarcation line. (Wikimedia, UNIFIL map adapted by Thomas Blomberg)

Hizbullah also analyzed the “Lethal Arrow” exercise with regards to the IDF’s defense of the Galilee, including preparations for the evacuation of at least 22 communities on the Lebanese border. Hizbullah noted that Israel is preparing for a scenario in which Hizbullah forces will enter settlements in the Galilee to capture some of them, kidnap civilians, and hold hostages. For its part, Israel understands that Hizbullah not only has the will, but also the ability to achieve these goals.

Brig.-Gen. (ret.) Dr. Shimon Shapira

Brig.-Gen. (ret.) Dr. Shimon Shapira served as Military Secretary to the Prime Minister and as chief of staff to the Foreign Minister. He edited the Jerusalem Center eBook <em>Iran: From Regional Challenge to Global Threat</em>. He is the author of <em>Hizballah: Between Iran and Lebanon</em>, Moshe Dayan Center, Tel Aviv University, 2021.
Share this

Subscribe to Daily Alert

The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Related Items

Stay Informed, Always

Get the latest news, insights, and updates directly in your inbox—be the first to know!

Subscribe to Jerusalem Issue Briefs
The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.







Notifications

The Jerusalem Center
What makes a child believe killing a #Jew is justified?

In PA textbooks, Jews are called liars and frauds; their fate: elimination. This is #indoctrination—not #education. But change is happening. On East to West, @IMPACT_SE CEO Marcus Sheff exposes how #UNRWA-funded schools are fueling extremism—and what real reform looks like.  Listen now on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2JHqh973U  Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/8OkJTGNfVUc

11:43am
The Jerusalem Center
Highlights from the @Jerusalem_Post Annual Conference in NYC:

Dr. @Dan_Diker, President of the JCFA: “October 7 wasn’t just an attack on Israel — it was a blow to the U.S. on Israeli soil. It demands moral clarity and a united front between Israel and the U.S. to defeat jihadist terror.”

2:20pm
The Jerusalem Center
@XAVIAERD says it like it is

Well, @XAVIAERD says it like it is: If you’re part of “#Queers for #Palestine,” he’ll pay for your flight to #Gaza. Go see for yourself how they treat LGBTQ+ people over there. Don’t miss this bold take on the Israel-Hamas war and the woke right.

2:32pm
The Jerusalem Center
“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.”

“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.” On Our Middle East by @JNS_org, @Dan_Diker@KhaledAbuToameh (JCFA/@GatestoneInst) break it down: If Hamas isn’t crushed, Iran wins. The jihadis—from #Gaza to your campus—get the green light. Diker: “This war is for the West.” No fluff. No filters. Just raw insight from two insiders who actually know what’s going on.  Watch: youtu.be/4Aq_zcbb4Yo

2:15pm
The Jerusalem Center
5/5 Lt. Col. Kalo on East to West with @smartinezamir:

“This operation showcases Israel’s strategic intelligence superiority both regionally and globally. It demonstrates the moral commitment to recovered soldiers and also strengthens Israel’s position with allies.” youtube.com/watch?v=nIvNNi

2:07pm
The Jerusalem Center
4/5 The operation built on intelligence gathered during the 2019 #Baumel recovery

#Mossad agents operated under cover in #Syria for years, visiting a graveyard multiple times under fire to collect remains for DNA matching. The intelligence community’s evolution combines technology, big data analysis, and human intelligence capabilities.

2:02pm
The Jerusalem Center
3/5 This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander

This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander from #Hamas in #Gaza, significantly boosting national morale amid an ongoing conflict now stretching over 18 months. The dual successes demonstrate #Israel‘s unwavering commitment to bringing all soldiers home.

1:58pm
The Jerusalem Center
2/5 The operation used the power vacuum following #Assad’s fall from #Damascus

Lt. Col. Avi Kalo, former head of IDF Prisoners & Missing Persons Division, calls it “an outstanding event that brings hope and new spirit to the people of Israel.” The operation utilized the power vacuum following #Assad‘s fall from #Damascus, allowing #Israeli intelligence to deploy ground capabilities in #Syria.

1:56pm
The Jerusalem Center
1/5 Israeli forces recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi Feldman

In an unprecedented operation, Israeli forces have recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi #Feldman, missing since the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub. The complex #Mossad mission was conducted deep within #Syrian territory, 43 years after his disappearance. This follows the successful 2019 recovery of Zachary #Baumel from the same battle.

1:54pm
The Jerusalem Center
A molotov attack on a bus = a “barbecue party”?

That’s what #Palestinian kids are being taught under @UNRWA  — from grade school to graduation. This isn’t education. It’s indoctrination. Marcus Sheff of @IMPACT_SE  breaks it down with @smartinezamir

12:51pm

Close