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Since October 8^th, the people of northern Israel have been subjected to thousands of rockets, missiles and drones, often directly targeting Israeli homes, schools and civilians. This has left approximately 80,000 Israelis displaced. Entire families have been living in hotel rooms and temporary housing since October. The residents of northern Israel cannot return to their homes unless there is some semblance of safety and security for their families. Cities like Metula and Kiryat Shmoneh have suffered wide-spread damage, and look like ghost towns, shrinking the map of the state of Israel.

As this is written, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, North Macedonia, Kuwait and now the United States have all asked their citizens to evacuate Lebanon. A report from The London Times says that Hezbollah is storing weapons in Beirut Airport. This week, Prime Minister Netanyahu visited members of the 55^th Paratroopers Brigade, and said that the IDF has drawn up meticulous plans and is ready.

Does Israel have any other choice but to go to war with Hezbollah?  We know that Hezbollah has at least 150,000 missiles that can swarm Israeli defense systems. What precautions is the Israeli government putting in place to protect Israeli civilians and their infrastructure? What has Lebanon’s responsibility been as an enabler of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon? Does this conflict have the potential of enlarging itself into a greater war between Iran and its allies and the West?

Here to discuss these questions and more is Lieutenant Colonel Sarit Zehavi.

About Our Speaker: Lieutenant Colonel (Res.) Sarit Zehavi is the Founder and President of the Alma Research and Education Center. She served for 15 years in the Israel Defense Forces Intelligence Corps, initially in research and analysis and later with the Northern Command, and has held informative in-depth briefings in Washington, D.C. with United States senators and representatives to advise them on security developments in Lebanon and Syria. Zehavi is recognized worldwide as an expert authority and impactful speaker on the security issues facing Israel today. She was selected by the Jerusalem Post as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Jewish personalities of 2021.