IDF Col. (res.) Oren Zini, former commander of the Tze'elim Training Base, praised security forces following the arrest of an individual known as "the head of Hamas's Shin Bet," in an interview with 103FM on Friday. He warned, however, against any future agreement that would force the IDF to withdraw from its positions in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon before completing its missions.
Speaking with Ron Koffman and Prof. Aryeh Eldad on 103FM, Zini stated that under the current reality, the Shin Bet and security forces are displaying extraordinary operational and intelligence capabilities.
"In our current reality, the security forces - and certainly the Shin Bet - are doing an incredible job. You can see this both in the south and in the north: the operations are highly successful, both targeted eliminations and in this specific case," he said. "This is built on top-tier intelligence, as well as high-caliber forces and capabilities."
According to Zini, a policy shift now allows troops to operate in areas previously considered out of reach. "If in the past there was hesitation over whether to act, today everyone understands that policy permits it, and everyone realizes the heavy price paid when policy does not permit it," he explained.
Zini added that just a few years ago, operations of this nature would have sounded like science fiction: "The IDF has penetrated the enemy's most complex strongholds, against both Hamas and Hezbollah, in a way that is suffocating them from within. In my view, this deserves immense credit."
Tactical achievements do not suffice if control relinquished
However, Zini cautioned that tactical achievements will not suffice if Israel surrenders control over the areas where forces are currently operating as part of a diplomatic settlement. He stressed that a premature withdrawal would allow the enemy to regroup and move fighters and weaponry back into position.
"If we do not maintain our hold in these areas, the enemy will escape with its forces and munitions, and we won't be taken seriously," he said.
"We saw what happened when we left the security zone [in southern Lebanon]. Not everyone will like hearing this, but that year 2000 effort under Ehud Barak looked like one big retreat. I was there. We left equipment and weapons behind, and pulled out at the drop of a hat."
Israel paid a heavy price for withdrawal in the past
According to Zini, Israel paid a heavy price for that withdrawal, and the reality on the northern border on the eve of the October 7 attacks highlighted just how deeply Hezbollah had entrenched itself in the region.
"We saw the price the State of Israel paid, and we were just one minute away from an October 7 scenario on the northern border as well," he said.
In conclusion, Zini expressed concern that future agreements in Gaza and Lebanon will restrict Israel's freedom of action and force the IDF to pull back before finishing the job.
"These are the red lines, in my view. I have no doubt that in any future agreement, we will be required to withdraw from both fronts to arbitrary lines, and we won't have enough time to finish the job."