IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi issued a stern warning to Hezbollah on Wednesday, hinting at the possibility of further military action in the wake of a series of mysterious explosions in Lebanon. The blasts, which targeted electronic devices carried by Hezbollah officials and terrorists, resulted in approximately 20 fatalities and over 3,000 injuries, crippling the organization’s communication network.
While Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the explosions, Halevi’s comments suggest that the military is prepared to take a more aggressive stance against Hezbollah. As he approved battle plans for the “northern arena,” encompassing Lebanon and northern Israel, Halevi emphasized the IDF’s determination to restore security to the region.
“We are committed to creating the necessary security conditions to allow residents of northern Israel to return to their homes and communities with confidence,” Halevi stated. “We are prepared to take all necessary measures to achieve this goal.” He noted that the IDF has made significant progress in its nearly year-long conflict with Hamas in Gaza, with a focus on dismantling the organization and securing the release of hostages.
Halevi’s remarks hinted at the existence of previously undisclosed military capabilities that could be deployed against Hezbollah. “We have many capabilities that we have not yet activated,” he said, adding that the IDF is continually preparing for future stages of conflict. “The rule is that every time we work on a certain stage, the next two stages are already ready to advance. At each stage, the price for Hezbollah must be high.” The nature of these “capabilities” remains unclear, but the statement is being interpreted as a veiled threat of further unconventional tactics against the militant group.
