.IDF officer: Hizbullah men were crying for help
(VIDEO) Senior army official describes state of crisis faced by Hizbullah fighters north of Bint Jbeil; another officer admits Lebanese group's anti-tank missiles surprised IDF
Hanan Greenberg
VIDEO - The nascent ceasefire has left IDF forces in Lebanon in a waiting game – at this time nobody talks about "taking over" or "moving forward," but rather, deploying at areas already captured.
"We're prepared both for a situation where we need to move forward and or a situation where we're asked to move back towards Israel," said Division 162 commander Guy Zur, who heads forces operating in southern Lebanon's eastern sector.
Meanwhile, a senior IDF officer told Ynet about the difficulties faced by Hizbullah following a month of fighting.
"During the battles over the weekend, Hizbullah men who were in genuine distress were crying out for help," the officer said, referring to battles in the western sector. The IDF official added that throughout the fighting it was easy to spot Iranian assistance to Hizbullah.
"It was an Iranian front," the officer told Ynet.
Following the ceasefire declaration Monday morning, southern Lebanon residents who left their homes because of the fighting began their journey back home. Commanders in Lebanon were ordered to be extra careful with returning civilians that may serve as cover for Hizbullah members.
"Commanders in the field were ordered not to open fire at Hizbullah unless they're facing an immediate threat, in order to avoid any kind of contact," Zur said, and added commanders will have to consider their moves based on the circumstances they face. In any case, as a result of the ceasefire the IDF will refrain from hitting Hizbullah infrastructure and weapons, he said.
Meanwhile, IDF troops hit six Hizbullah terrorists in several clashes in southern Lebanon following the truce declaration. The army said in all case forces fired at armed fighters who constituted a genuine threat to soldiers.
'Best guerilla force in Mideast'
A senior IDF official admitted Monday that the extent and quality of anti-tank missiles used by Hizbullah surprised the army.
"Hizbullah is the best guerilla force in the Middle East and even beyond," the officer said.
Meanwhile, most forces who entered southern Lebanon over the weekend are still there, with the exception of members of the Herev regiment, who operated in the western sector for 30 straight days. The troops returned to Israel for a break but may still be called upon to return to Lebanon.
"They said their beards are longer than Nasrallah's," a senior officer said.
Commander Zur also discussed the difficult battle that claimed the lives of 12 IDF troops south of the Litani River over the weekend.
"It was a difficult, complex battle, we had to move through a mountainous path while facing constant fire," he said. "At the end we managed to reach a target Hizbullah didn't believe we'd be able to reach, an area where numerous arms were found…dozens of anti-tank missiles, as well as sniping and explosive means."
Zur also rejected criticism regarding the necessity of the battle in light of the ceasefire decision and said the battle's results had important operational implications that also led to the accomplishment of diplomatic achievements.
The senior officer said the forces will need four to five more days to take over the area south of the Litani if ordered to do so and another several weeks to clear the area of rocket launchers. However, such operation is unlikely to get underway as a result of the truce.
Still, IDF officials are ready for any possibility. "We mustn't be surprised and we're ready for any scenario," Zur concluded."
Ynetnews
Hanan Greenberg
VIDEO - The nascent ceasefire has left IDF forces in Lebanon in a waiting game – at this time nobody talks about "taking over" or "moving forward," but rather, deploying at areas already captured.
"We're prepared both for a situation where we need to move forward and or a situation where we're asked to move back towards Israel," said Division 162 commander Guy Zur, who heads forces operating in southern Lebanon's eastern sector.
Meanwhile, a senior IDF officer told Ynet about the difficulties faced by Hizbullah following a month of fighting.
"During the battles over the weekend, Hizbullah men who were in genuine distress were crying out for help," the officer said, referring to battles in the western sector. The IDF official added that throughout the fighting it was easy to spot Iranian assistance to Hizbullah.
"It was an Iranian front," the officer told Ynet.
Following the ceasefire declaration Monday morning, southern Lebanon residents who left their homes because of the fighting began their journey back home. Commanders in Lebanon were ordered to be extra careful with returning civilians that may serve as cover for Hizbullah members.
"Commanders in the field were ordered not to open fire at Hizbullah unless they're facing an immediate threat, in order to avoid any kind of contact," Zur said, and added commanders will have to consider their moves based on the circumstances they face. In any case, as a result of the ceasefire the IDF will refrain from hitting Hizbullah infrastructure and weapons, he said.
Meanwhile, IDF troops hit six Hizbullah terrorists in several clashes in southern Lebanon following the truce declaration. The army said in all case forces fired at armed fighters who constituted a genuine threat to soldiers.
'Best guerilla force in Mideast'
A senior IDF official admitted Monday that the extent and quality of anti-tank missiles used by Hizbullah surprised the army.
"Hizbullah is the best guerilla force in the Middle East and even beyond," the officer said.
Meanwhile, most forces who entered southern Lebanon over the weekend are still there, with the exception of members of the Herev regiment, who operated in the western sector for 30 straight days. The troops returned to Israel for a break but may still be called upon to return to Lebanon.
"They said their beards are longer than Nasrallah's," a senior officer said.
Commander Zur also discussed the difficult battle that claimed the lives of 12 IDF troops south of the Litani River over the weekend.
"It was a difficult, complex battle, we had to move through a mountainous path while facing constant fire," he said. "At the end we managed to reach a target Hizbullah didn't believe we'd be able to reach, an area where numerous arms were found…dozens of anti-tank missiles, as well as sniping and explosive means."
Zur also rejected criticism regarding the necessity of the battle in light of the ceasefire decision and said the battle's results had important operational implications that also led to the accomplishment of diplomatic achievements.
The senior officer said the forces will need four to five more days to take over the area south of the Litani if ordered to do so and another several weeks to clear the area of rocket launchers. However, such operation is unlikely to get underway as a result of the truce.
Still, IDF officials are ready for any possibility. "We mustn't be surprised and we're ready for any scenario," Zur concluded."
Ynetnews
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