By Yechiel Spira for YWN:
Cabinet ministers on Sunday heard intelligence briefings from military intelligence, GSS (General Security Service/ Shin Bet) and Mossad officials. There appears to be a consensus, that while the situation in Sderot is one of paramount concern, it is by far not the primary threat occupying intelligence and defense officials.

According to Defense Minister Ehud Barak and senior defense establishment officials, Hizbullah has completed restocking and preparing for another round of warfare with Israel, taking full advantage of the ongoing warfare in southern Israel between the IDF and Hamas. While our national focus is pointed at Sderot and Ashkelon, Hizbullah continues arming and laying the groundwork for another round of warfare, senior officials concur.

All intelligence community agencies are in agreement regarding Iran, with Tehran remaining the primary threat facing Israel. That said; GSS officials feel that other major concerns include predicted increased involvement of Israeli Arabs in anti-government activities, adding that in 2007, 25 Arab citizens were involved in terrorism against Israel. Yuval Diskin, the director of the GSS, stated however that while there is room for concern, he does not see this becoming a widespread trend, and is calling on the government to make the Israeli Arab community an increased priority, seeing to the needs of this segment of the population.

Diskin also cited that Hamas continues to perfect its rocket technology, now capable of firing rockets armed with military grade explosives longer distances, as has been witnessed in recent attacks into Ashkelon.

Intelligence officials also believe that Syria can by persuaded to leave what Israel perceives as the radical column, i.e. Iran, by relinquishing control of the Golan Heights. While this does not seem to be a realistic option in the coming year, officials do feel this is a realistic option, once against signaling a possible Israeli willingness to make yet additional land concessions.

On the other hand, fears of a third Intifada remain low, with immediate concerns focusing on the northern and southern borders.

The five major threats according to intelligence officials are Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, Iran and the global jihad. Iran remains the primary threat to Israel for two reasons; Tehran’s continued progress in its nuclear enrichment program and its dominant role as a leader of the radical element.

Back to the northern border, officials report Hizbullah continues to carefully monitor the IDF’s activities, preparing itself for a number of different IDF scenarios in a Third Lebanon War. In addition, IDF forces remain on increased alert in the north, still waiting for Hizbullah’s reaction for last month’s car bomb attack which claimed the life of the organization’s deputy.

During a mourning visit to Jerusalem’s Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva, Defense Minister Ehud Barak stated that “The intelligence community warns of a wide array of threats facing Israel from Jerusalem to Iran.”

Prior to the visit, Barak also warned against complacency, stating the relative quiet in Gaza should not be interpreted as a state of peace, stressing that Israel will continue to act when and if required, denying media reports that a ceasefire has been reached between Israel and Hamas.

[The author has been a member of the Israeli media for over a decade, primarily covering security related events [email protected].]