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Source: https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkdn34bvzx
IDF Destroys Hizbullah Stronghold in Southern Lebanon
(Ynet News) Yair Kraus - Bint Jbeil, a southern Lebanese town, has long been regarded as one of Hizbullah's most important strongholds. Israeli officers say 40% of the town has already been demolished, a figure expected to reach 70% in the coming weeks. The targeted structures all contained Hizbullah military infrastructure. Shortly before Israeli forces entered the town, Hizbullah's current leader, Naim Qassem, declared, "If Bint Jbeil falls, Hizbullah will fall." Lt.-Col. S., a reserve deputy commander in the IDF's 401st Armored Brigade, says, "You have to look south to understand why we are doing it," where Israeli troops can see the Israeli communities of Avivim, Yiron, Bar'am, Rehaniya, Safed and even Haifa Bay. "You see the communities below you and understand the reason. You understand there is no choice." For two decades, Israel's working assumption was that although Hizbullah had developed the ability to invade the Galilee, it did not necessarily intend to do so. The campaign in the north is now being conducted without relying on assessments of Hizbullah's intentions, commanders said. "I do not care whether Hizbullah wants to attack us today. I want to know whether it can, and I want us to make sure it cannot," S. said. "We are here to deny capabilities. They will not be able to conquer our communities. We cannot control their desire, but we can reduce their ability."