Col. (res.) Dr. Hanan Shai: In recent years, there has been criticism of the unprepared Israeli soldier. The current war proved otherwise in very well-trained and well-equipped soldiers. However, it is important to remember that Hezbollah will be fighting on its home turf, giving them a huge advantage. Adding to the challenge is the very mountainous terrain in southern Lebanon and the likely existence of tunnels and mines in many areas. It is hard to overestimate the value of US assistance to Israel, and an attack on Hezbollah cannot be done without advance coordination with the US. US support for such an attack will depend on how it assesses Israel’s ability to succeed in such an attack. 

Published in The Media line, June 25, 2024.