Israeli MP Counters IDF’s Rafah Victory Claim, Says Israel In “Endless Tunnel” In War With

Hezbollah’s drones have emerged as a significant threat to Israeli air defences, with over 1,000 UAVs launched from Lebanon since the conflict with Gaza began. Israeli broadcaster Channel 13 reports that Hezbollah’s one-way attack drones are successfully hitting their targets, as Israel’s advanced Iron Dome system and fighter jets have struggled to intercept them. The persistent drone strikes have led former Israeli commander Yossi Peled to describe the situation on the northern front as a “remarkable strategic victory for Hezbollah.”Meanwhile, a senior Israeli security official has accused the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) of misleading both the public and government regarding the situation in Rafah. According to Amit Halevi, a member of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, the IDF’s claims of defeating Hamas’ Rafah Brigades and gaining “operational control” over the area are exaggerated. Halevi contends that the IDF’s reported figure of 2,000 Hamas fighters killed is inaccurate and represents less than 25% of the actual forces. He criticised the IDF’s efforts as insufficient, asserting that the army has only managed to destroy a “small fraction” of Rafah’s underground tunnels, which remain usable by Hamas.In another development, the IDF discovered an under-construction tunnel near a hospital in Tulkarem, West Bank, on September 13. The tunnel, which had an entrance but no exit, is part of the IDF’s ongoing counter-terrorism operation in the West Bank. This discovery follows the resumption of the “Summer Camps” operation, launched on August 28 and resumed on September 10, which has so far resulted in the killing of 10 gunmen.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced accusations of waging a “war on Israeli military command” rather than focusing on Hamas or Hezbollah. Channel 13’s senior reporter Alon Ben David alleges that Netanyahu is challenging the army’s leadership and that his efforts to justify the presence of Israeli forces along the Philadelphi Corridor through forged documents have further complicated the situation. Critics argue that Netanyahu’s focus on Gaza is hindering the IDF’s ability to address the Hezbollah threat in the north.