IOF Chief: «Israel’s» Next Main Security Challenge is Iran-led Activity

By Staff, Agencies

Iranian-led activity is the main security challenge the “Israeli” entity, “Israeli” Occupation Forces [IOF] Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi said Thursday.

"‘Israel's’ central strategic challenge lies in the northern arena," Kochavi told reporters at a press conference to unveil the military's new multi-year plan.

"At the heart of it are the entrenchment of Iranian and other forces in Syria and the precision missile project. In both situations, this is an Iranian-led effort, using the territory of countries with extremely weak governments," he said.

As well as continuing its preparations for a confrontation in the north, the IOF is also aware of a potential flare-up in the south, despite the relative calm along the Gaza border in recent months, following the entity’s steps to ease life for the civilian population there.

"‘Israel’ is currently dealing with multiple arenas and enemies simultaneously," Kochavi said Wednesday.

"In the northern and southern arenas, the situation is tense and fragile and may deteriorate into conflict..."

The “Israeli” entity sees the Islamic Jihad as the organization most likely to drag the south into a new confrontation.

These preparations for a potential conflict on either border have been stepped up in recent months following a series of incidents with Iran's Quds Force as well as Hezbollah.

Alongside Iran's entrenchment in Syria, there have been other developments of great concern to the entity, such as Donald Trump's withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria and his muted responses to the downing of a US drone in the Gulf and the attack on a major Saudi oil facility.

According to the “Israeli” media, these low-key American reactions are thought to have only reinforced Tehran's sense of confidence and its ability to act proactively against the entity.

Like his predecessor Gadi Eisenkott, who stated that the entity’s number one enemy is Hezbollah, Kochavi views the entire northern arena as the main threat.

"‘Israel's’ central strategic challenge lies in the northern arena," said Kochavi.

The “Israeli” chief of staff's remarks echo comments by the entity’s so-called President Reuven Rivlin and PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who have also recently raised the significant security challenges ahead for the “Israeli” entity.