IDF's Targeted Strikes on Over 1,000 Hezbollah Since the War against Hamas in Gaza Broke Out

 The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) recently disclosed that since the conflict with Hamas in Gaza commenced, they have targeted over 1,000 sites affiliated with Hezbollah in Lebanon. However, official reports suggest that the Air Force has utilized less than 20 percent of its capacity in the northern region.

Released yesterday, IDF data regarding the conflict with Hezbollah indicated that over the course of five months of engagement in the north, the Air Force had struck "more than 1,200 targets affiliated with the terrorist group Hezbollah" (with an additional 3,000 targets attacked from the ground). The data included a map illustrating the locations of IDF airstrikes, primarily concentrated in southern Lebanon.

The IDF's objective in releasing this information was to showcase the intensity of the conflict and the significant blows inflicted upon the terrorist organization since it became involved in the war alongside Hamas in Gaza. Despite these efforts, the Air Force has only utilized a fraction of its full potential, amounting to less than 20 percent. While Israel has achieved tactical successes, they have not yet altered the overall reality of the situation.

In the ongoing battle against Hezbollah in the north, the Air Force is tasked with targeting and dismantling strategic assets such as depots for unmanned aerial vehicles, long-range rocket storage facilities, command and control centers, and production sites for precision weaponry. These strikes represent the culmination of extensive intelligence gathering and technological prowess to identify targets.

The IDF and security agencies have demonstrated a thorough understanding of the intelligence landscape in Lebanon, particularly concerning Hezbollah. However, it appears that the political leadership's decision is to maintain a relatively contained conflict, adhering to mutually agreed-upon limitations during the hostilities.

Just four months before the outbreak of hostilities, the Air Force participated in the "Punch Fist" exercise, simulating multi-front combat scenarios. During this exercise, the Air Force purportedly destroyed approximately 5,000 targets in less than a week using around 10,000 munitions, achieving a reported success rate of 95 percent.

Previous reports indicate even greater capabilities of the air force. Through various training exercises, the Air Force has showcased its ability to rapidly escalate operations, transitioning from a state of calm to intense combat readiness. Some scenarios involved preemptive strikes in response to Hezbollah's aggression, including the downing of an Israeli reconnaissance drone. Despite such provocations, Israel responded with targeted attacks within Lebanese territory, maintaining a delicate balance of escalation.

Analyzing the IDF's published data reveals that Israel has yet to fully unleash its capacity for attacks in Lebanon. Presently, the IDF averages approximately 8 airstrikes per day, significantly lower than its potential to execute up to 3,000 strikes concurrently.

These figures hold significance amidst growing calls within Israel for military intervention in Lebanon to safeguard the northern residents. Israel possesses a comprehensive arsenal of strategies to employ before resorting to full-scale war, the outcome of which remains uncertain.

As the conflict persists, internal divisions within Israel begin to surface, underscoring the complexities surrounding the decision-making process. A survey has been initiated, with results set to be scrutinized by the Department of Psychology at the Hebrew University.