In the current arena of conflict, Israel isn't merely grappling with Hamas in Gaza. A different danger is looming on the horizon: Tehran, with its long-standing aspiration to eradicate Israel, might instigate a second front through its proxies at any given moment.
Assaf Kedem, a vineyard owner near the Israeli-Lebanese border, shared his sentiments. The turmoil that unfolded on October 7, marked by Hamas' massacres, was still fresh in his memory. Hezbollah, the Islamic extremist organization based in Lebanon, had already commenced firing rockets towards the northern villages, a stark reminder of their aggressive intentions.
The cloud of uncertainty weighs heavily on many, including Kedem. His staff were summoned for military duty, while others were relocated due to escalating tensions. Many wineries, in the midst of their harvest, were forced to pause operations as Hamas violated the ceasefire and launched an invasion.
"Wine appears less pertinent in this moment," Kedem acknowledged. However, he emphasized the necessity for Israel to strengthen its deterrence balance against Hezbollah to form a new reality for its residents.
Meanwhile, skirmishes are ongoing close to the Israeli-Lebanese border. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) retaliates against Hezbollah's rocket attacks by deploying heavy artillery and issuing stern warnings against joining Hamas in Gaza or provoking a second front.
Tamir Hayman, a former military intelligence commander, voiced concern. Should Hezbollah perceive any signs of weakness, they might seize the opportunity to increase their aggression. The Israeli military, Hayman highlighted, is capable of engaging on three fronts, but Hezbollah's resilience and arsenal pose a significant challenge to maintaining a secure home front.
Aside from the conventional battlefield, Israel must battle on the third front—the cyber battleground. Cyberwarfare has evolved into a critical facet of modern conflicts, as nations strive to shape global opinion through media manipulation and deception.
Josef Dar, a co-founder of internet monitoring firm Cyabra, analyzed millions of social media posts and comments regarding the ongoing conflict. He revealed that thousands of fictitious user accounts were propagating anti-Semitic and pro-Palestinian narratives. This disinformation reached over half a billion accounts. Platform users have been sharing images from previous conflicts, video games, or images created utilizing artificial intelligence, presenting them as authentic reports on the current conflict.
Not only terrorist organizations, but Iran itself, might be behind these cyber attacks, aiming to sow discord and weaken morale within Israel.
In the midst of this volatile situation, Israel must negotiate a delicate balance between defense and civilian wellbeing, both in physical conflicts and cyber battles. The situation is fluid, calling for an adaptable and vigilant response from Israeli authorities to maintain the safety and resilience of its people.
