'Only a fraction of IAF's power used'

IAF chief Shkedy says results of operations have been "good and precise."

IAF jet 298.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
IAF jet 298.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
IAF Commander Maj.-Gen. Eliezer Shkedy said on Sunday that the IAF had only used "a small proportion of its fire power" in its attacks on Lebanon, adding that it was the IDF's prerogative how much of its military capability to use and warning that "the other side should consider all its alternatives." "Our fighter jets have made over 1000 flights and our attack helicopters over 350," said Shkedy at the daily IDF briefing. "The results of our operations have been good and the targeting precise. The effects are accumulating and they will be very influential," he said with satisfaction. The IAF commander explained that Hizbullah infrastructure had been targeted in the north, south and center of Lebanon. Shkedy added that sea, air and land routes to and from Lebanon had been closed off, severely damaging Hizbullah's ability to operate and blocking all links with Syria. On the continuing operations in the Gaza Strip, he said that Golani forces had detonated a tunnel used for terror activity and that the IDF were continuing to operate to uncover more tunnels and thwart terror attacks. Senior intelligence officer Yuval Halamish said that the IDF had successfully destroyed the rocket launching site pointing towards Haifa, which was responsible for killing eight people early Sunday, and that the new 250 millimeter rockets fired were Syrian made, demonstrating the strong connection between Hizbullah and Damascus. He said that the various fire arms and missiles, produced over a period of several years, were being successfully destroyed as a result of intense IDF intelligence gathering. Meanwhile, the Home Front Command officer repeated his call on northern residents to remain in shelters or secure rooms and to closely follow the media for further instructions.