The threat to invade Rafah sparked disputes between Israel and its main ally, Washington (French)

The former head of the Planning Department in the occupation Command of Staff, Major General Reserve Nimrod Sheffer, ruled out a large-scale Israeli attack in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip that would not receive an American green light, and called on Israel to reach an agreement that would exempt it from waging a major war against Hezbollah in which it would pay a price that he described as very high.

In an interview with Maariv newspaper 103 FM, Sheffer - who previously managed the Aerospace Industries Company - said that the United States “is the one who has the decision on the issue of Rafah, not Israel,” and that it is ridiculous for Netanyahu to be stubborn even when he knows that we will not fight. And the Americans reject that,” which according to him applies to Lebanon as well.

Schaefer expected limited operations in Rafah, not similar to the major attacks launched in the Gaza Strip in the first five months of the Israeli aggression. “The major operation in Rafah was possible in the first weeks of the war, but we did not fight and the opportunity is no longer available.” He added that Netanyahu’s insistence on launching an attack A major “against your nose” action, according to the former military official, is directed to satisfy his bases and is not supported by anything in reality.

False stubbornness

Schaefer strongly criticized the Prime Minister for contradicting the American administration on the issue of Rafah, despite the unprecedented support it provided to Israel. But what is worse, according to him, is that he is not sincerely stubborn. “He is lying when he sends this message... The army leaders know that they will not fight in Rafah if the Americans ask for that not to happen.” ".

The former military official accused Netanyahu of turning Israel into a "pariah" state, which, according to him, only 6 months ago had received massive support from the whole world, and "here are its best friends who are now so fed up with it that they have stopped selling it weapons and spare parts."

Schaefer believes that Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's visit to the United States is likely to be an attempt to prevent the imposition of an American arms embargo, or to take other measures to reduce or slow its flow.

Hezbollah and the Israeli army have been exchanging shelling across the Lebanese border for months, but the escalation has not reached the stage of war (French)

Northern Front

As for the northern front, the former head of the Planning Department in the occupation Chief of Staff expected that the cost would be very high if war with Hezbollah broke out. He said that Israel - despite the repeated threats of its officials - cannot and does not want to go to war in the current situation, a fact that it has been trying to obscure for a long time. the time.

Scheffer added that if war breaks out, it will be a major matter with very high costs, calling on Israel to do the right thing, which is to achieve an agreement that exempts it from that, but with care to implement it, not like the agreement that ended the 2006 war, and allowed - according to him - Hezbollah forces, including The "Al-Radwan" battalion began to flow towards the south.

Netanyahu and ministers in his government have repeatedly expressed Israel's readiness to wage an all-out war in Lebanon to eliminate Hezbollah and repeat the destructive Gaza scenario there, and the party responded to the threats by confirming its readiness for an open war if necessary.

However, the two sides have so far avoided a comprehensive confrontation, and have been content with exchanging limited bombardments, despite Israel expanding its air force movement to include the Lebanese interior.

Source: Maariv