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Ashkenazi, Peretz observe IDF drill
Photo: Hagai Aharon

Hizbullah far from rehabilitation, IDF chief says

Shiite group focusing mainly on efforts to regain its long-range capabilities by smuggling arms, Ashkenazi says

“Hizbullah is attempting to regain the capability it lost during the war in Lebanon, but a tour along the northern border proves that it is still far off from reaching this goal,” IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Gabi Askenazi said Wednesday.

 

Ashkenazi’s assessment contradicts that of the head of the Military Intelligence's Research Division, Brigadier General Yossi Baidatz, who recently said Hizbullah has succeeded in rehabilitating its forces.

 

“The Shiite group is focusing mainly on efforts to regain its long-range capabilities by smuggling arms,” Ashkenazi said while observing a Paratroopers Brigade drill in the Golan Heights with Defense Minister Amir Peretz.

 

“But Hizbullah’s capabilities have diminished,” he added.

 


'IDF will continue to act in full force.' Peretz during IDF drill (photo: Hagai Aharon)

 

Asked why the army chose to conduct the drill in the Golan, where Israel’s borders with Syria and Lebanon meet, Ashkenazi said, “We are prepared for any scenario – not necessarily initiated by Syria. IDF forces are in training everywhere – from the north to the south – and at current time the forces’ deployment along the northern border has not changed."

 

Peretz said the military exercise is part of the security establishment’s work plan for 2007, which places an emphasis on increased training.

 

“The exercise does not constitute any declaration on our part vis-à-vis the existing tensions on the northern front,” he said.

 

Referring to the killing of a senior Islamic Jihad member by Border Guard officers Wednesday morning, the defense minister said, “The IDF will continue to operate in full force to prevent attacks on Israeli citizens and on the country’s sovereignty.” 

 


פרסום ראשון: 02.21.07, 13:36
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