In a significant development regarding Israel’s military strategy, Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, the Chief of the Israeli Air Force, emphasized the urgency of halting all weapon transfers from Iran to Hezbollah.
Speaking during a meeting with officers at the Tel Nof Airbase on Thursday, Bar underscored that the Lebanese militant group’s ability to recover from recent losses, sustained during intense Israeli offensives, hinges on its capacity to rearm.
“We in Lebanon are now going to prevent any possibility of weapon transfers from Iran, in the face of what we have taken away so far from Hezbollah,” Bar asserted.
His remarks coincided with reports from Hebrew media indicating a surge in Iranian efforts to deliver weapons to its Lebanese ally, particularly following an Israeli military strike on a border crossing between Syria and Lebanon, identified as a channel for Hezbollah’s weapon smuggling operations.
Iran has historically served as Hezbollah’s primary benefactor, supplying a range of military resources intended for use against Israel.
Since the onset of the Gaza war in October 2023, the flow of Iranian arms to Lebanon has reportedly escalated, including suspicious shipments arriving at Beirut International Airport in “mysterious large boxes.”
Bar also highlighted the critical role of ground-air coordination should a ground invasion of Lebanon become necessary.
The Israeli military has been preparing for this scenario by conducting training exercises in the north and issuing call-up orders to several reservist units.
“We are preparing, shoulder to shoulder with the Northern Command, for a ground maneuver. We’re preparing — whether it will be carried out is a decision made above us,” Bar noted.
His comments echoed the sentiments of IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, who informed soldiers on Wednesday that their “military boots will enter enemy territory.”
During a drill simulating a ground offensive in Lebanon, Halevi told troops of the 7th Armored Brigade, “You can hear the planes above, we are attacking all day. Both to prepare the area for the possibility of your entry [into Lebanon], and also to continue landing blows on Hezbollah.”
The intensifying conflict in the region can be traced back to October 8, 2023, when Hamas-led terrorists launched an incursion into southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 others.
Following this, Hezbollah began launching attacks against Israeli communities and military installations along the border, allegedly in support of Hamas, which is also backed by Iran.
To date, the skirmishes have led to the deaths of 26 civilians in Israel and 22 IDF soldiers and reservists. Additionally, there have been multiple attacks originating from Syria, although these have not resulted in injuries.
In recent days, as the violence escalated, the frequency of rocket attacks on Israel surged, with hundreds of projectiles fired into Israeli territory.
In response, the IDF has conducted extensive airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. These operations have resulted in the deaths of several key leaders within the militant group.
According to reports from last week, Hezbollah has announced the deaths of 512 of its members during the ongoing conflict, with fatalities occurring primarily in Lebanon but some also in Syria.
The group also noted the deaths of 88 operatives from other militant organizations, along with a Lebanese soldier and numerous civilians.
The scale of Israel’s military offensive since Monday morning has reportedly led to over 600 casualties, as confirmed by Lebanese health authorities.
However, this figure does not differentiate between combatants and civilians, as Israeli officials assert that a significant portion of the casualties are Hezbollah fighters.
The latest statements from Israeli military leaders highlight the increasingly complex and volatile nature of the conflict, as the IDF prepares for potential ground operations in Lebanon.
Bar’s comments signal a strategic shift aimed at curbing Iranian influence in the region, particularly through its support of Hezbollah. As both sides brace for further confrontations, the humanitarian implications of the escalating violence continue to grow.
With tensions running high and the prospect of a ground invasion looming, the Israeli military’s focus on interdicting weapon transfers from Iran could define the next phase of the conflict.
As Israel seeks to dismantle Hezbollah’s operational capabilities, the implications for regional stability remain uncertain, with fears of a broader confrontation potentially becoming reality.
As the situation evolves, the international community watches closely, aware that any miscalculation could lead to an expanded conflict with far-reaching consequences.
The intertwining of regional actors and their ambitions suggests that the path to peace is fraught with challenges, demanding vigilant diplomatic engagement alongside military preparedness.