Israeli Defense Ministry: Iran Aims To Establish “Hezbollistan” In Lebanon
Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot reported on Tuesday that Head of the Defense Ministry”s Diplomatic-Security Bureau Amos Gilad told participants at a Tel Aviv University conference on Lebanon that Hezbollah wanted to turn Lebanon into a major threat for Israel because of Iran”s support.
Gilad said that Iran was determined to pose an existential threat to Israel, noting that “you do not have to be a genius to come to this conclusion, because Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said so himself.”
The paper reported that Gilad said Tehran’s goal was to create a balance of terror through the establishment of “Hezbollistan” in Lebanon. He explained, “This entity is based on a military wing, which is meant to assist Iran should Israel attack, and a rocket arsenal, which consists of some 40,000 projectiles.”
The Ynet website also said that, according to Gilad, Hezbollah”s short-term goal was to increase its influence in the Lebanese parliament.
"Strategically, Hezbollah wants a new Middle East, with Israel as the target," the paper quoted Gilad as saying.
According to the website, Gilad called for not allowing Iran to attain nuclear weapons, because, he said, this would strengthen the “radical axis.”
“I believe Hezbollah is refraining from firing rockets at Israel not because they are deterred, but because Iran is counting on them in case Israel strikes,” he said.
Gilad also said that the Hamas Movement’s strategic objective was to control the Palestinian Authority, remove President Mahmoud Abbas from power and promote terror in the West Bank.
"Hamas is sincere enough to say that this is its plan, and the group refuses to make any statements, even vague ones, regarding the possibility of peace. At most, they are willing to mention a possible ceasefire," the paper added, according to Gilad.
Ynet quoted Gilad as saying the cooperation between Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran was stronger than ever.