In a recent interview, a senior Israeli military official revealed that Hezbollah had planned a surprise attack on Israel’s northern border shortly after the October 7 Hamas assault on the south. The operation, involving about 3,000 terrorists stationed along southern Lebanon, was set to launch once orders were given.
The official explained that the IDF’s swift response, deploying four brigades to the northern border on October 7, effectively neutralized Hezbollah’s surprise element. This preemptive action thwarted the planned invasion, which had been heavily reliant on secrecy and surprise tactics, similar to the Hamas attack in Gaza.
The IDF’s operations focused on dismantling Hezbollah’s infrastructure, including tunnels, weapons, and underground living quarters. These were largely hidden within dense brushlands along the border, providing terrorists with cover for their activities. The military’s efforts to destroy these strongholds removed Hezbollah’s ability to launch coordinated raids on Israeli border communities.
The IDF also transformed the area into an open field, ensuring that future hostile activity would be easily detected. Despite these efforts, the official cautioned that rearming Hezbollah remains a potential threat, as the group has historically been adept at replenishing its resources.
