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Home Posts The Disaster in Majdal Shams: How to Respond?

The Disaster in Majdal Shams: How to Respond?
Tamir Hayman
28 July, 2024

The disaster in Majdal Shams requires a tough and different Israeli response from what has been done so far, but it is important to act wisely.

According to the details known so far, it seems that Hezbollah fired a heavy rocket and took responsibility for the shooting (it claimed that it had aimed at Mount Hermon and took responsibility before realizing the serious consequences). Upon learning of the results of the attack and the harm to children and youth, it retracted its acceptance of responsibility in a rather unusual way. Hezbollah’s attempt to deny any connection to the shooting indicates that Nasrallah understands that this disaster endangers its standing with the Druze community in Lebanon.

Hezbollah’s shooting was apparently aimed at the headquarters of the Hermon Brigade as a response to Israel’s foiling of a unit from the Radwan Force. However, it does not matter as far as Israel is concerned—Hezbollah is responsible for this massacre and must pay the price.

So what is the right thing to do now? Hezbollah has made a grave mistake. Harming children, and in particular Druze in the Golan Heights, puts it in a negative light in Lebanon. This is added to the fury of many Lebanese over the country’s deterioration into a war against Israel, which for them is completely unnecessary. Therefore, time is now working in our favor. It is better to let Hezbollah cook a little in the terrible stew it has created. Therefore, it is not urgent to act within hours. A response after a few days would also be appropriate. In this case it would be wrong to act from the gut. It is always true to think before acting, and now even more so.

In the end, Israel must react harshly, there is no doubt. Israel can respond using a large number of methods and against a wide variety of targets. Israel has several strategic surprises, which should be kept and activated only when they lead to a maximal achievement.

In conclusion, the serious situation on the northern border needs to be resolved, and the security system is preparing for this. However, one must not get confused—attention must be directed to the north without neglecting the hostages in Gaza. Even a temporary lull in the fighting in Gaza in favor of the hostage deal can give enough time and allow the IDF to act differently in Lebanon. It is worth taking advantage of the upcoming round of talks in Rome to achieve this.

The article was first published on the N12 website

Topics: Lebanon and Hezbollah, Swords of Iron War
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