Defense Officials Say Hezbollah Boosting Recruitment Near Israeli Border
by David Daoud
Israeli security officials say that Hezbollah is accelerating its recruitment of terrorists on the Jewish State’s border. PHOTO: Human Security Centre
Lebanese terror outfit Hezbollah has accelerated its recruitment and training of operatives in the region just north of Syria’s border with Israel, defense officials told the country’s Channel 2 on Thursday.
According to the officials, Hezbollah and its sponsor Iran see the village of Khader near the Israeli border as strategically located to launch terror attacks against targets in Israel.
The Druze community living in the area — which enjoys Hezbollah’s support — provides fertile ground for recruitment into anti-Israel terror cells, the officials said.
One official noted that because of the deteriorating situation in Syria, Hezbollah has begun preparing the area for the day after the potential fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is closely allied with the Lebanese group.
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Despite being locked in an extended battle against al-Nusra Front, the Islamic State, and other anti-Assad rebels Hezbollah mainly fears a surprise IDF attack, which is why the group continues to prepare for conflict with Israel, the officials said.
To resist being dragged into a conflict with Israel, the group declined to respond or even comment on recent alleged Israeli airstrikes against one of its cells.
