Netanyahu prefers to fight more because continuing the war helps him evade many domestic troubles such as his corruption trial or the inquiry commission for the security failure on 7 October.
Author
Khinvraj Jangid, Associate Professor and Director, Centre for Israel Studies, Jindal School of International Affairs, OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India.
Summary
Another inevitable yet inane war in the Middle East between Israel and Hezbollah begins this week. The Israel-Hamas war continues — a ceasefire seems impossible, hostages are doomed to endless captivity in tunnels, and thousands of Palestinians are destined to survive with the bare minimum in the demolished city of Gaza. Israel and Hezbollah have had a distinct violent past, and another war between the two won’t perplex many. Is this Israel’s moment of ‘war of no choice’ concerning Hezbollah? Can Israel afford another war while the one in Gaza is still inconclusive? What will be the war objective for Israel in Lebanon? Can such a situation lead to more regional fights?
Since 7 October 2024, when Hamas attacked Israel, Hezbollah has been attacking the north of Israel with countless rockets, missiles and drones, so much so that almost 1,00,000 Israelis from the northern towns and agricultural villages had to flee. They have been homeless in Israel for nearly a year now. Israel virtually lost its sovereignty as it could not protect people in the north from Hezbollah’s attacks, and with or without a ceasefire with Hamas, it finds itself in no position to avoid a direct fight with the Lebanese militia group.
This is a good enough rationale in the language of international relations and law and a legitimate ground for Israel to strike Hezbollah. The latter refused other diplomatic efforts led by France and the United States. Hezbollah’s actions also defied the advisory of the United Nations Resolution 1701, which demanded a demilitarised zone between Israel and Lebanon, to which both agreed in 2006. Hezbollah is a fundamentalist group defying the norms and values of the modern world. However, Israel may not succeed militarily against it — just the way it hasn’t against Hamas in Gaza.
Published in: The Print
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