The Israeli military failed to achieve its objectives in Lebanon, military analyst Amos Harel wrote in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
Harel said that despite "sustained and intensive airstrikes against Hezbollah positions and weapons depots across southern Lebanon, the Israeli military has yet to achieve its operational objectives."
In Harel's view, Hezbollah continues to demonstrate an effective and resilient combat capability, particularly through its persistent use of FPV drones, which have repeatedly penetrated Israeli defenses and inflicted casualties, underscoring the limitations of "Israel's" military campaign.
Addressing attempts by the Israeli authorities to portray limited tactical actions as major successes, Harel stated that efforts to present the destruction of alleged tunnels in the al-Shaqif area as a strategic achievement merely emphasize the difficulties "Israel" faces on the Lebanese front.
He noted that the Israeli military alleged the "destruction of a network of tunnels and Hezbollah command-and-control facilities during its operation at Beaufort Castle, with the disclosure accompanied by leaks from senior political officials." According to the military, the operation was justified by the site's symbolic and historical significance, as well as its commanding tactical position overlooking the Nabatieh highlands. Harel, however, argued that the move was being overstated, maintaining that it amounted to a limited tactical operation with localized impact and fell far short of representing a meaningful strategic achievement on the Lebanese front.
Hezbollah stated on June 1 that Israeli occupation forces conducted a short incursion near the al-Shaqif Fortress (Beaufort Castle) following days of shelling, but withdrew without consolidating positions in the area.
Trump urged to weigh World Cup as Gulf tensions risk global distraction
On the broader regional front, the Israeli analysis indicated that with the renewed exchange of strikes between "Israel" and Iran, the United States could once again be drawn into the war, a scenario that runs counter to the position publicly articulated by US President Donald Trump in recent weeks.
Harel further emphasized that Trump must also take into account another factor: the FIFA World Cup scheduled to be hosted by the United States, which is set to begin next Thursday. According to the analysis, Trump attaches significant importance to the tournament, and any military escalation in the Gulf region could divert global attention away from the event.
Earlier on Sunday, Israeli warplanes bombed a residential building in the Mrjayeh–Tahwitat al-Ghadir area of Beirut's Southern Suburb. Lebanon's Health Ministry reported that the attack killed two civilians and injured 20 others, among them eight women and children.
Iran responded to the Israeli attack, following through on its promise to retaliate if "Israel" attacks Beirut or its southern suburb, launching several missile salvos at Israeli positions. Shortly after the initial missile launches, the IRGC announced that the Israeli Ramat David Airbase had been targeted by its ballistic missiles. That strike, the IRGC said, was carried out in response to extensive Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, as well as the killing and displacement of civilians in Tyre, Nabatieh, and other areas, including Beirut's Southern Suburb, which Iran had consistently warned against.
While announcing a cessation of operations, the Central Headquarters of Khatam al-Anbiya, the command center for Iran’s armed forces, issued a stark warning: should Israeli "aggressions and mischief" continue, including in southern Lebanon, "much more severe and crushing actions than before" would follow.
Source:Websites
