[Dean's World] Michael J. Totten: On the Record with IDF Intelligence

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Posted by Michael J. Totten:
On the Record with IDF Intelligence
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1173384144.shtml


   [Blown_Up_House_South_Lebanon.1.jpg]

   I spoke recently with an Israeli Defense Forces intelligence officer
   about last summerâs war between Israel and Hezbollah in South Lebanon.
   He still serves in the IDF and therefore must remain anonymous. Iâll
   call him David, which isnât his name.

   David works in a fire control unit stationed in the Northern Command.
   During the war he managed intelligence pertaining to Hezbollah rocket
   fire, selected targets for air and artillery strikes, and occasionally
   assisted in real-time control of fire. He is familiar with some of the
   high-level decision-making and hints at some of what he knows that is
   officially classified.

   MJT: Let's start with a general question. What, exactly, did Israel
   accomplish in the summer war with Hezbollah? Are there any tangible
   lasting benefits?

   David: Well, to understand what was accomplished we need to look at
   the starting point. Virtually all Israelis were very happy the IDF
   withdrew from Lebanon -- many think it was foolish to have gotten in
   there in the first place and even those that don't agree we overstayed
   our welcome, so to speak. Following the pullout Hezbollah established
   itself very firmly in South Lebanon -- of particular worry to the
   military was their ground-ground rocket and missile array, ranging in
   various calibers and ranges. I cannot go into all the intelligence
   data, but Hezbollah's capability to hit Israeli population centers was
   well known for quite some time. So this was the primary problem --
   only it was never tackled by any Israeli leadership, not that there
   was much that could have been done. That remains a problem today,
   though from what I hear they're having a much more difficult time
   restoring their abilities. I wouldnât call it a success story, though.
   The problem's still there. Another worry was Hezbollah's attempts at
   kidnapping Israeli soldiers.

   There have been several attempts made, and each one was more
   calculated and planned than the last. Apart from the famous instances
   in which IDF soldiers did in fact die or get kidnapped, there was one
   memorable attempt that was foiled due to good thinking and alertness
   in the tactical levels. There were also "anti-aircraftâ barrages that
   hit inside Israel, killing one boy in one instance if I recall
   correctly. Hopefully, the last conflict sent a message that will make
   these acts less desirable.

   There were also general shows of force at the border, usually
   organized "demonstrations" or throat-cutting gestures at soldiers from
   armed persons. There's a road that passes a few meters from the border
   and they made sure to build a position right on top it with Hezbollah
   flags, just as a gesture. We no longer have Hezbollah right on the
   border, and that is the most tangible benefit.

   [1]read the rest at michaeltotten.com

References

   1. http://www.michaeltotten.com/archives/001399.html