In the last few days, tensions between Israel and Lebanon have escalated sharply, after the Shiite militant group Hezbollah launched rocket and drone attacks on Israeli territory, in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in joint American-Israeli strikes.
Israel accused the group of spreading the conflict in the region, which is why it launched airstrikes across southern Lebanon and in the suburbs of Beirut, with dozens of deaths recorded.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that an offensive campaign against Hezbollah is underway, and that they are preparing for long-term fighting if the situation further worsens.
IDF officials have not ruled out the possibility of a ground invasion of southern Lebanon, especially if the attacks continue or if Hezbollah strengthens its operational capacities along the border. Israel even issued warnings to civilians in more than 50 villages to evacuate from potentially threatened areas, which represents a new level of preparation for a possible wider ground action.
“We have mobilized nearly 100,000 reservists, dozens of battalions, brigades that are ready to defend the northern border and ready for all possibilities, offensive and defensive. All options are on the table,” said Israeli general Effie Defrin.
Lebanese leaders, including the president and the prime minister, have repeatedly called for the country not to be drawn directly into war, warning that it would have catastrophic consequences for the security and stability of the state. However, Israeli threats and mutual rocket attacks further fuel the fear of the conflict turning into a broad regional war that could engulf other neighboring countries and allies.
This crisis comes in the context of already existing tensions in the Middle East, including the war between the USA, Israel, and Iran, which has shaken the region. If a ground invasion occurs, it could mark one of the most significant military escalations in the last decade, with the potential to endanger civilian lives and cause a large wave of refugees from the affected areas.
The international community, including the UN and regional powers, calls for restraint, but current military operations indicate that the situation is unstable and that the conflict could spread quickly.
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Izvor: Serbian Times; Foto: Printscreen YouTube