In a statement shared on Telegram, IDF reservist Brig. Gen. (res.) Harel Knapho assessed that while Israel has exceeded its initial expectations on all fronts, the core objective of disarming Hezbollah remains unfulfilled. He said a peace deal with Lebanon would be excellent, but not essential — the disarmament of Hezbollah is the priority.
Brig. Gen. (res.) Harel Knapho, addressing the current security situation in Lebanon via Telegram Sunday morning, stated that the IDF has achieved results beyond its original goals in all arenas of the current campaign. 'We reached more than we ever dreamed we could in every sector,' Knapho said.
However, the senior reserve officer stressed that 'there is still more to do in each of the arenas.' Knapho defined the ultimate objective as the disarmament of Hezbollah. He added that while securing a peace agreement with Lebanon would be welcome, it is not mandatory — 'the main thing is that we disarm Hezbollah.'
Knapho's remarks come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts and public debate within Israel about the trajectory of the ceasefire framework and whether military pressure should be maintained or relaxed. The statement echoes a broader hawkish security establishment perspective that operational gains must be translated into irreversible security arrangements, with or without an explicit peace deal.
The assessment is an individual retired senior officer's opinion and has not been formally adopted by the IDF or government as policy. Israel has officially dismissed reports of a finalized ceasefire, insisting military operations continue.
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Source and signal
- Internal intake