Hezbollah is REAL threat: 'More effective' terror group could 'slaughter' Israel's north - Colonel Richard Kemp
Richard Kemp speaks with Christopher Hope about threat posed by Hezbollah.
Retired army officer Colonel Richard Kemp CBE has spoken with GB News’ political editor Christopher Hope from Northern Israel to sum up the ongoing situation in the region, and the risk posed by Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
“The situation in in the north is hotting up just as the Israelis are prepared to go into Gaza. And of course the two things are completely connected. Both Hamas and Hezbollah in the north are sponsored and funded and armed by Iran.
“I think in the last few days there have been attacks probably of greater intensity on the border there than any time since the last war in Lebanon.
Kemp says he has spoken with the mayor of a town just two kilometres from the Northern border with Lebanon, about the risk now posed by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
Colonel Richard Kemp speaks with Christopher Hope on GB News
GB News
“He is deeply concerned about the the safety of his citizens. They're worried about obviously massive rockets being fired into their town, which is more than within Hezbollah's capabilities.
“The concern is that this is not Hamas. This is a far more effective, better trained, disciplined terrorist organisation which potentially could wreak even more slaughter on the population than Hamas did in the South.”
It comes as Israeli forces declared a 4-kilometer-wide closed military zone on Lebanon’s southern border, where they have exchanged fire with Hezbollah - the Shiite political party and militant group based in Lebanon.
Lebanon fear they will be dragged into all-out war with the Israelis due to the actions of Hezbollah.
Israeli jets this morning started bombing parts of Lebanon as the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) warned it would “destroy” the country if Hezbollah entered the war.
When asked if there was any possible solution to the escalating tensions in the region, Kemp expressed his doubts.
“Hamas is not interested in negotiation. They're not interested in any form of compromise. Their charter makes it absolutely clear that their sole purpose is the destruction of Israel and the slaughter of Jews in Israel and around the world.”
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Flame and smoke rise over Lebanon as seen from Israel's border with LebanonReutersKemp also commented on the realities of the war, and the likelihood of civilian casualties.
“Although it goes against the the prevailing narrative in the West, the IDF are absolutely world renowned for doing everything they possibly can to avoid civilian casualties on the battlefield.”
“When you have the choice between Hamas continuing to fire rockets at communities around Israel, crossing the border and slaughtering over 1,000 Israelis, or dealing with Hamas and unfortunately innocent civilians dying as well, then I don't think there is any choice.
“The reality is that Hamas fight from behind, and within, their civilian communities. They want the IDF to kill their civilians. And that's what they, unfortunately, are going to get, even though the IDF do, in my experience, take extraordinary steps to prevent the loss of innocent civilians on the battlefield.”
Israeli tanks have amassed on the border with LebanonGetty ImagesFinally Kemp commented on the resolve of soldiers in the Israeli Defence Force, who struggle against Hamas’s terror.
“There is a degree of apprehension as any soldier will be apprehensive when about to set foot into a killing area.
“Many of them have family members or friends who were slaughtered last weekend.
“You know, they're worried. But what they are also, is they're absolutely committed. Everyone, every single soldier I spoke to is dedicated to protecting the civilian population inside Israel.”