IDF Chief Predicts Who Israel Will Fight in Its Next War

Israel’s next armed conflict will likely be with Hezbollah and other Lebanon-based terrorist groups, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot said Sunday.

“Terrorist groups and new threats have taken the place of enemy armies. The relatively quiet security situation of the last decade is an interest Israel and Lebanon share and considerable efforts have been made to ensure it lasts. But the IDF is not fooled by this lull and it remains vigilant, aware of the changes in the Syrian and Lebanese sectors,” Eizenkot said during a ceremony at the military’s Northern Command headquarters.

“Hezbollah continues its efforts to obtain more accurate, deadlier weapons to target the Israeli home front,” he said. “Recent statements from Beirut have made it clear a future war will have a clear address—the state of Lebanon and the terrorist groups operating on its soil with its consent.”

The IDF, said its leader, “has and will continue to strive to improve readiness for any scenario, and it is developing capabilities that give it a distinct advantage over its rivals.” Eizenkot expressed hope that Israel’s military “will be able to maintain the reality here, in the north, for our benefit and the benefit of the Lebanese people.” {eoa}

This article was originally published at JNS.org. Used with permission.