NAHAL COMMANDER: IF WE GO INTO LEBANON, THERE WILL BE LASTING QUIET

Rising tensions on northern border do not alarm Nahal Brigade
soldiers. ‘The hardest hit to Hizbullah is if we go in, dismantle
rockets, and destroy terrorists,’ says brigade commander

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Yoav Zitun
Published: 02.07.13, 16:08 / Israel News

The Nahal Brigade is preparing for its deployment along the northern
border – currently, one of the most tense borders – where it will
be faced with a disintegrating Syria, and a Hizbullah that growing
stronger.

The commander of the green unit, Colonel Yehuda Fuchs, said it is
clear that if the IDF takes action against these threats, his soldiers
will be on the front line. “We are psychologically ready for battle
in Lebanon,” he said.

The unit’s soldiers, as all Israelis, have followed the reports of
the alleged Israeli attack in Syria, which was supposedly meant to
stop advanced Russian missiles from reaching the hands of Hezbollah in
Lebanon. And now, as his soldiers prepare to take part in a training
exercise in a mock village – everyone is aware this might soon become
reality – much like six-and-a-half years ago, when the Second Lebanon
War erupted.

Nahal soldiers in training (Photo: Yoav Zitun)

“Israel has no intention of conquering south Lebanon, while Hezbollah
remains a guerilla group that does not want to protect Lebanon,
but rather to attack Israeli citizens,” Fuchs argued.

“The most effective blow to Hezbollah will be if we enter its
territory, dismantle its rockets and destroy as many launchers and
terrorists as possible. This could give us lasting quiet.”

The senior officer added, “There are dangers, but as soldiers we are
sworn to face these risks.” His words carry more weight considering
the growing discussion within the IDF as to whether a strong airstrike
based upon exact intelligence might be enough to prevent a ground
operation in Lebanon, as it was in Gaza during Operation Pillar
of Defense.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress