Israeli officers suggest unilateral truce, massive response if Hezbollah breaks it

The “equation” with Hezbollah “must change," senior Israeli officers have said, suggesting Israel “announce it is holding fire for 48 hours but if one missile, rocket land inside Israel, massive disproportionate attack must be launched wreaking havoc on south Lebanon,” Israeli English-language news portal Ynetnews has reported.

"It’s time for a new equation," the Israeli officers said.

“The commanders believe the IDF (Israeli army) should announce that it would hold its fire for 48 hours, but warn that the next missile, rocket or bomb that lands in Israeli territory, especially on a civilian target, will prompt a massive response that would wreak havoc on south Lebanon, including on homes of Hezbollah operatives in the Shi'ite villages in the area, that have thus far been mostly spared,” Ynetnews said.

“Quiet will be met by quiet but fire will be met by a disproportionate response, they suggest, adding that the IDF's hands have been tied by the politicians and that the current situation is dangerous,” the news portal added.

Israel, they say ignores “the fact the Hezbollah has much to lose from an uptick in the fighting so it is time to act, in coordination with the U.S, so as not to seem keen to extend the war, and present the Iran-backed group the chance for quiet along the border by a unilateral cessation of fire, while also creating the legitimacy for a broader action that would ultimately bring security back to the north,” Ynetnews reported.

"Why are we waiting for the Radwan force to strike?" one Israeli officer said. "Why are we increasing our forces, laying in wait? Hezbollah initiated the fighting and it should be the one fearing our forces. This equation must change," he added.

Around 200 people have been killed in Lebanon during more than three months of cross-border clashes, including around 145 Hezbollah fighters and over 20 civilians, among them three journalists. In northern Israel, nine soldiers and six civilians have been killed, according to Israeli authorities.

The fighting has also displaced tens of thousands of Lebanese and Israeli residents on both sides of the border and Israel says it is keen on returning its residents to their homes even if that required a military campaign.