(Jerusalem Post) Yaakov Lappin - Speaking at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) in Tel Aviv, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gadi Eisenkot said Monday: "Iran is fighting a proxy war against Israel. Hizbullah is the most severe threat to Israel. Since 2006, it has been armed, funded, and even led by the Iranians." Following sanctions relief, Iran's transfer of funds to Hizbullah, which has so far stood at around a billion dollars a year, will increase. Similarly, Hamas, which currently receives tens of millions of dollars from Iran, is set to receive more, while Tehran continues to try and smuggle weapons to Gaza. "The vision of acquiring nuclear weapons will persist in Iran. It comes out of Iran's self-perception as a regional power." In Syria, command and control roles are carried out by Iranian commanders who are overseeing battles involving Iranian soldiers and Shi'ite militias. Iran has lost 300-400 of its personnel in Syria so far. Eisenkot said he found it "disturbing" that ISIS receives the highest levels of support in the Arab world among Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
2016-01-19 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive