TARGETING TERRORISTS
Israel for the past two weeks has been on the brink of a major escalation, if not regional war, following the highly sophisticated assassinations of senior terrorist leaders in Lebanon and Iran, although the latter, Israel has not admitted responsibility.
Despite the risks and ramifications, Israel’s strategy of taking out terrorist leaders in precise “targeted assassinations” undermines the efficacy of these terrorist organizations as attested – albeit begrudgingly – by writers in the Arab media.
See article below by Mohammed Al-Saeed writing in Okaz, an Arabic Saudi Arabian daily newspaper located in Jeddah. It was translated by Asaf Zilberfarb for Media Line, a news agency specializing in coverage of the Middle East.
What is interesting to note is that criticism is accompanied by admiration of Israel’s prowess, professionalism and penetration:
- “While Hezbollah leaders delivered public addresses and rallied supporters with fervent speeches, Israeli agents meticulously gathered intel, even in the most private spaces. What Hezbollah perceived as a 2006 victory was likely a strategic deception by Israel, which has now reached unprecedented levels of intelligence penetration.”
- “Property once considered safe – homes, vehicles, and farms -have become targets for Israeli drones and planes.”
- “Israel’s target bank has been years in the making, not a result of recent events alone.”
The full article below is illuminating.
David Kaplan Lay of the Land Editor
ISRAEL’S TARGET BANK IN LEBENON
by Mohammed Al-Saeed
Okaz, Saudi Arabia, July 25
The Israeli state has long been characterized by actions rooted in violence and human rights violations, yet assassination remains a defining feature of its operational strategy. A clear illustration of this can be seen in Mossad’s pursuit and elimination of the masterminds behind the 1972 Munich Olympics attack, orchestrated by the Palestinian militant group Black September. This organization, infamously responsible for the murder of international participants, including Israeli athletes, saw its key planners systematically tracked down and killed by Mossad operatives. Despite some individuals fleeing, disappearing, or hiding in European countries, Mossad’s relentless pursuit ensured their eventual elimination.
Many of these assassinations were carried out discreetly, without Israel officially taking responsibility. It took years to locate some targets, but the determination to execute these missions never wavered.
In the wake of the events of October 7, Israel has been simultaneously pursuing two strategies:
- conducting military operations in Gaza and southern Lebanon to dismantle both civil and military infrastructures supporting Hamas and Hezbollah and
- utilizing intelligence to target and neutralize leaders at various levels within these organizations.
Hezbollah, which has long prided itself on its robust security apparatus and staunch cadre loyalty, is facing a series of assassinations that challenge its internal cohesion. The growing list of assassinated leaders indicates potential erosion of loyalty, internal disaffection, and even betrayal among key figures who possess sensitive security information. This ongoing assault has deteriorated the image of invincibility that Hezbollah has carefully crafted, subjecting the group to a position of vulnerability. A pressing question emerges: how has Israel managed to infiltrate Hezbollah so thoroughly, executing daily operations with precision and minimal errors? Israel has even hinted at its capability to target Hassan Nasrallah himself. For nearly ten months, Israeli operatives have relentlessly pursued Hezbollah leaders, attacking them in their homes, vehicles, and even when disguised on mules. This persistence highlights weaknesses within Hezbollah’s security administration and hints at internal unrest among its cadres, fatigued by decades of mobilization and empty rhetoric.
Hezbollah’s boast of resilience and follower loyalty has faltered under the pressure of a conflict defined by more than just guerrilla tactics. Israel’s strategy of neutralizing leaders and denying the group any operational initiative has forced many into a continuous state of flight. Property once considered safe—homes, vehicles, and farms—have become targets for Israeli drones and planes. Such precision attacks owe much to a sophisticated ground intelligence network composed of disillusioned former supporters who no longer subscribe to the party’s ideology. Israel’s target bank has been years in the making, not a result of recent events alone. While Hezbollah leaders delivered public addresses and rallied supporters with fervent speeches, Israeli agents meticulously gathered intel, even in the most private spaces. What Hezbollah perceived as a 2006 victory was likely a strategic deception by Israel, which has now reached unprecedented levels of intelligence penetration. The party’s failure is glaring, not only in protecting its members from consistent attacks but also in its inability to dismantle spy cells that could mitigate its growing disgrace.
The current situation reveals an alarming disintegration of the security and operational efficacy once claimed by Hezbollah. The ongoing assassinations by Israeli forces underscore a deep-seated problem within the organization, reflecting both internal vulnerabilities and the formidable proficiency of Israel’s intelligence and military apparatus.
– Mohammed Al-Saeed
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