BICOM

Israel’s Chief of Staff has revealed that the Israel Defence Forces will take measures against an Iranian built missile factory run by Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Addressing the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, Lt-Gen. Gadi Eisenkot said that dealing with the factory is the IDF’s top priority and that “we’re working against it using quiet measures to avoid a deterioration of the situation”.

Although Hezbollah arms factories pose a clear threat to Israel, Eisenkot said he “didn’t identify any intention by our enemies to attack,” meaning the situation is unlikely to escalate imminently.

Eisenkot explained that Hezbollah “continues to violate UN Security Council resolution 1701, under civilian guise and in urban areas”. He said that while the UNIFIL forces in Lebanon do help keep the peace, he criticised them for not doing “enough to report what’s happening on the ground to the decision makers at the UN”.

Eisenkot noted the improved security situation in Lebanon and the opportunities this gives the Israel. He said: “Eleven years after the Second Lebanon War, we have a better security situation, and we’ve been taking advantage of this time to dramatically improve our capabilities.”

The Chief of Staff was also questioned by the committee regarding the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza after the recent energy crisis. He said: “We’re interested in a positive dynamic in the strip, but Israel can’t be expected to give from its own budget while Hamas is investing money in terrorism.”

Israel recently decided to reduce the amount of electricity that it provides to Gaza at the request of Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas, as tensions between his Fatah party and Hamas escalated. Hamas have subsequently struck a deal with Egypt in order to receive fuel.