To avoid war, Israel must act 

The way Israel has so far responded to Hezbollah’s provocations has only encouraged it to continue and even ratchet up a notch.

 By  Meir Ben Shabbat, ISRAEL HAYOM

“Hezbollah’s activity and presence on the border fence, the IDF’s passive operational posture, and the lack of full deployment of technological means created a situation in which the abduction of the soldiers was just a matter of time,” the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee wrote in the aftermath of the Second Lebanon War, which was triggered when the Shiite terrorist group kidnapped two soldiers.

It’s hard not to see the similarities between what happened back then, almost exactly 17 years ago, and the unfolding reality today, especially in light of the footage showing the balaclava-wearing terrorists moving freely so close to the border and observing Israel without even an inkling of fear.

Although security officials have stressed that these operatives were never in breach of the border and posed no danger, this is hardly reassuring. Moreover, such statements only reinforce the feeling that the deterrent effect has been disrupted in Hezbollah’s favor.

The spate of provocations by Hezbollah attests to Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah’s ever-increasing confidence. Not only has he ratcheted up his public threats, but has also escalated the situation along the border by trying to push the envelope with Israel. While it is far from certain that he seeks a flare-up, what is abundantly clear is that Nasrallah has been less cautious in trying to avoid it.

Nasrallah has sensed an opportunity to change the equilibrium as a result of the deep internal crisis inside Israel and the IDF’s containment-driven approach – which he sees as proof that the Israeli government does not want to get into a military confrontation. Based on this underlying premise, he has been gradually and systematically gnawing at the restraints that he has had to accept over the years, while simultaneously bolstering his stature within Lebanon.

Hezbollah’s conduct along the northern border serves its goal of optimizing its operational position should hostilities break out, with a particular emphasis on preparing a ground incursion into Israel. The way Israel has so far responded to its provocations has only encouraged it to continue and even ratchet up a notch. In view of this reality, Israel has no choice but to act in a way that would make Nasrallah conquer his impulses.

Israel must continue building the barrier along the border rather than show restraint against these provocations, which are designed to make life harder for the troops. The Israeli security establishment should prepare actionable plans – including secret ones – that upon execution would show Nasrallah that Israel will no longer tolerate such conduct and remind him of the price he paid the last time he went on a misadventure (i.e. the 2006 Second Lebanon War).

Just like Nasrallah’s action carry the risk of triggering a conflagration, so too does Israel’s counteraction. Although neither side wants to go down that road, we must brace ourselves for such a scenario.

The chapter dealing with the lessons of the Second Lebanon War in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee report ends with a warning against “a return to a situation where a strategic, legitimate decision such as pursuing a policy of containment leads the IDF into paralysis and inaction.” It adds, “Israel can implement a cautious tactical approach that is more proactive, yet stop short of a complete disavowal of the containment policy.” These words resonate well today as well.

Meir Ben Shabbat is head of the Misgav Institute for National Security & Zionist Strategy, in Jerusalem. He served as Israel’s national security advisor and head of the National Security Council between 2017 and 2021, and prior to that for 30 years in the General Security Service (the Shin Bet security agency or “Shabak”).