A senior Israeli military commentator has warned that the “new reality” facing ‘Israel’ requires a fundamental reassessment of its armed forces, arguing that growing operational constraints and political limits are “eroding deterrence and battlefield confidence,” particularly in Lebanon.
According to Yossi Yehoshua of Yedioth Ahronoth, ‘Israel’ must significantly increase investment in military capabilities and expand independent weapons production in order to reduce reliance on US systems—”while maintaining its strategic alliance with Washington but ensuring greater operational autonomy in case of political disagreements.”
In an article on Sunday, he warned that prolonged fighting under restrictions that prevent the Israeli military from fully using what he described as its “operational advantages” risks undermining both deterrence and soldiers’ sense of security, adding that “fighting with its hands tied” could shift from a temporary condition into a “recipe for disaster.”
Yehoshua also argued that Lebanon represents only the first stage of a broader trend, suggesting that similar constraints could later extend to Gaza and the West Bank. He said: “In the Middle East, limitations on freedom of action risk becoming a precedent, framing the shift as a strategic gain for Iran.”
In another stark assessment, he cited concerns among Israeli soldiers deployed in the so-called “security zone” in southern Lebanon, noting their repeated feeling that they are “easy targets,” reflecting growing unease on the ground amid ongoing battles with Hezbollah resistance group.
If you're already withdrawing, why be the last one killed?
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Source: Hebrew media (translated and edited by Al-Manar)