Israeli Army Warning: Strengthening Iran's Presence in Lebanon Will Lead to War

The Israeli army, through its spokesperson, has warned the people of Lebanon that 2018 is the 'year of testing for Lebanon' and that 'strengthening Iran's foothold in this country will lead to war.' This written warning, unusually published in Arabic on Sunday, January 28, appeared in some opposition media in Lebanon and the region, and Israeli media also reported it. Colonel Ronen Manlis, the spokesperson for the Israeli army, emphasized that due to the negligence of the Lebanese government and the indifference of many countries in the international community, Lebanon has become a 'large missile manufacturing factory.' According to the Israeli army spokesperson, 'It is no longer just about the transfer of weapons, money, and advice; Iran has effectively opened its branch in Lebanon.' Colonel Manlis wrote to the people of Lebanon, 'Do not sacrifice your security and future for the game of Iran, and do not sacrifice your country's economic prosperity and political progress for the movements of the dictator sitting in Tehran and Hezbollah, who want to seize regional hegemony.' This spokesperson for the Israeli army pointed out that Qais al-Khazali, one of the commanders of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, recently visited the southernmost point of Lebanon near the Israeli border with Hezbollah commanders, stating that 'this terrorist tourism puts Lebanon at serious risk.' Colonel Manlis added that the Israeli army is 'prepared for any scenario... our red lines are clear... and the choice is yours, the people of Lebanon.' He expressed concern about the outcome of the spring 2018 elections in Lebanon, writing, 'Will Hezbollah be able to displace the Sunni camp from power under the new electoral system and officially bring Lebanon under Iranian control?' Lebanese officials have yet to respond to this warning article from the Israeli army spokesperson. However, a few months ago, when Avigdor Lieberman, the Israeli Defense Minister, stated that Iran had built a precision missile factory in Lebanon and that in any new war, Israel would target not only Hezbollah's positions but all of Lebanon, senior Lebanese officials responded. At that time, Saad Hariri, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, said that Israel knows very well that such a factory does not exist in Lebanon. Michel Aoun, the Hezbollah-backed President of Lebanon, also stated that Hezbollah's weapons are 'legitimate' and that this organization is part of the government and parliament of Lebanon. The last war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon was the summer of 2006, a 34-day operation in which over 1,200 Lebanese and 165 Israelis (121 military and 44 civilians) were killed; however, the heavy damage inflicted on Lebanon due to Israeli bombings paralyzed Lebanon's infrastructure for years. The publication of the Israeli army spokesperson's warning article coincided with the day Ibrahim Raisi, the custodian of the Astan Quds Razavi, met with Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, during his visit to Lebanon. According to Al-Manar, the Hezbollah television network, Mr. Raisi discussed regional political developments during his meeting with Hassan Nasrallah, which was attended by Mohammad Fathali, the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon, and several Hezbollah leaders. Ibrahim Raisi, who arrived in Lebanon on Saturday, January 27, met with Nabih Berri, the President of the Lebanese Parliament. Mr. Raisi, who was a rival of Hassan Rouhani in the presidential elections earlier this year in Iran, stated in Beirut that 'we emphasize the necessity of supporting Lebanon in all areas,' adding that 'the future and destiny of resistance are determined by the field, not by negotiation tables.' From the perspective of the Islamic Republic of Iran, groups like Hezbollah are part of the resistance axis, but these groups are recognized as terrorist organizations by the United States and many countries in the international community. Iran is the main supporter of Hezbollah, and Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, recently stated that 'weapons, rights, bread, water, and everything of Hezbollah comes from Iran, and as long as Iran has money, Hezbollah also has money.' During the nationwide protests in January of this year in over a hundred cities in Iran, protesters emphasized that Iran's money should not be spent on other countries, chanting 'not Gaza, not Lebanon, my life for Iran'; however, senior Iranian officials have stated that such slogans come from 'the throat of [Benjamin] Netanyahu (the Prime Minister of Israel).' In this context, 'a special cabinet meeting in Israel' was held to discuss Iran's presence in Syria. Hariri condemned the visit of the commander of the Iraqi Shiite militia group to the Lebanon-Israel border. The Israeli Defense Minister made 'different' statements regarding Iran's military presence in Syria. The Commander-in-Chief of the Lebanese army announced readiness to confront the 'Israeli threat.' Netanyahu emphasized the continuation of actions in Syria according to Israel's security needs. Warnings about Iran's regional influence; Netanyahu: the alarm has sounded. Israeli media reported: airstrikes on a factory 'where Iranian activities' are taking place in Syria. Changing the game for 'proxies'; war against the people in the streets of Iran. The crisis in Iran; the responsibility of the opposition and the possibility of radicalizing Iranian society. The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amid the Iranian crisis.