Edited by: Fern Sidmanhttps://thejewishvoice.com/2022/05/as-war-with-iran…n-hezbollah-publ/
As tensions continue to rise between Israel and the Iranian proxy organization, Hezbollah, published reports indicate that the Israeli government has approved the procurement of two naval landing craft in the upcoming months.
According to a cogent explanation provided by i24News correspondent Ariel Levin Waldman, Israel hasn’t obtained these kinds of vessels since 1993 as there weren’t considerable threats in the region coming from the sea.
The Israeli Navy had a fleet of landing craft from its inception in 1948 until 1993, when the last vessels were decommissioned, as was reported in Israel HaYom.
The new geo-political landscape has illustrated that the Hezbollah terror organization has significantly strengthened its positions in Lebanon and thusly, the situation is changing at a fairly rapid pace.
“Israel is looking north and saying Hezbollah is gaining power, they are an Iranian proxy and the time is quickly coming that a confrontation with Iran could very well be on the agenda,” Waldman said.
The i24News correspondent also opined that Iran would undoubtedly stage an attack against Israel through their Hezbollah proxy and that if Israel should decide to retaliate using a land attack, it could prove fruitless.
Waldman said that Hezbollah has had formidable fortifications in place around the Lebanese city of Beirut for quite some time. He added that if Israel should need to hit Beirut (which he thinks is the best way to eliminate the military prowess of Hezbollah), then a deep strike that would target the Lebanese capital would best be most effectively done through a strategic position in the Mediterranean Sea. A strike from the sea would require wider naval capabilities, according to the i24News report.
At present, Israel is in possession of only seven corvettes and eight missile boats. The i24News indicated that these vessels are specifically designed to intercept validated threats aimed at Israel. Waldman said that these boats do not have the ability to project force. The new additions to the Israeli Navy are American built boats. They are expected to arrive at the Ashdod Naval Base in a few months when they will be joining a new squadron.
Israel HaYom reported that according to the Israel Defense Forces, the objective of the landing craft is to provide fighting forces with a logistical boost.
Once they arrive, the IDF will install various proprietary systems on the vessels to adapt them to the Israeli military’s needs, a process that is expected to take several months, according to a report in Israel HaYom.
In a statement sent to the media, the IDF’s Spokesperson’s Unit said, “As part of the month-long exercise, the IDF will use Greek platforms and Italian vessels to practice transporting logistics equipment and fighters taking part in the drill, in which INF corvettes will take part.”
“As part of the work plan for 2023, two Logistic Support Vessel will be integrated into the naval and military forces,” the statement added.
Having been largely used during World War II, these American made landing craft are considered small to medium sized vessels, as was reported by i24News.
The landing craft were designed to transport supplies from sea to shore during military offensive operations as well as for transporting soldiers, equipment, and vehicles, according to the i24News report.
Moreover, these landing craft can also be used for incursions inside enemy territory and have the ability to carry up to 75 tons of cargo as well as 200 military personnel.
In April of this year, the US Fifth Fleet along with the Israeli Navy, participated in the largest joint drill in the Mediterranean and Red seas, as was reported by i24News.
Edited by: Fern Sidman
As tensions continue to rise between Israel and the Iranian proxy organization, Hezbollah, published reports indicate that the Israeli government has approved the procurement of two naval landing craft in the upcoming months.
According to a cogent explanation provided by i24News correspondent Ariel Levin Waldman, Israel hasn’t obtained these kinds of vessels since 1993 as there weren’t considerable threats in the region coming from the sea.
The Israeli Navy had a fleet of landing craft from its inception in 1948 until 1993, when the last vessels were decommissioned, as was reported in Israel HaYom.
The new geo-political landscape has illustrated that the Hezbollah terror organization has significantly strengthened its positions in Lebanon and thusly, the situation is changing at a fairly rapid pace.
“Israel is looking north and saying Hezbollah is gaining power, they are an Iranian proxy and the time is quickly coming that a confrontation with Iran could very well be on the agenda,” Waldman said.
The i24News correspondent also opined that Iran would undoubtedly stage an attack against Israel through their Hezbollah proxy and that if Israel should decide to retaliate using a land attack, it could prove fruitless.
Waldman said that Hezbollah has had formidable fortifications in place around the Lebanese city of Beirut for quite some time. He added that if Israel should need to hit Beirut (which he thinks is the best way to eliminate the military prowess of Hezbollah), then a deep strike that would target the Lebanese capital would best be most effectively done through a strategic position in the Mediterranean Sea. A strike from the sea would require wider naval capabilities, according to the i24News report.
At present, Israel is in possession of only seven corvettes and eight missile boats. The i24News indicated that these vessels are specifically designed to intercept validated threats aimed at Israel. Waldman said that these boats do not have the ability to project force. The new additions to the Israeli Navy are American built boats. They are expected to arrive at the Ashdod Naval Base in a few months when they will be joining a new squadron.
Israel HaYom reported that according to the Israel Defense Forces, the objective of the landing craft is to provide fighting forces with a logistical boost.
Once they arrive, the IDF will install various proprietary systems on the vessels to adapt them to the Israeli military’s needs, a process that is expected to take several months, according to a report in Israel HaYom.
In a statement sent to the media, the IDF’s Spokesperson’s Unit said, “As part of the month-long exercise, the IDF will use Greek platforms and Italian vessels to practice transporting logistics equipment and fighters taking part in the drill, in which INF corvettes will take part.”
“As part of the work plan for 2023, two Logistic Support Vessel will be integrated into the naval and military forces,” the statement added.
Having been largely used during World War II, these American made landing craft are considered small to medium sized vessels, as was reported by i24News.
The landing craft were designed to transport supplies from sea to shore during military offensive operations as well as for transporting soldiers, equipment, and vehicles, according to the i24News report.
Moreover, these landing craft can also be used for incursions inside enemy territory and have the ability to carry up to 75 tons of cargo as well as 200 military personnel.
In April of this year, the US Fifth Fleet along with the Israeli Navy, participated in the largest joint drill in the Mediterranean and Red seas, as was reported by i24News.
