Without directly addressing responsibility for the explosions that injured thousands of Hezbollah operatives—possibly the most extensive targeted countermeasures in history—it’s evident that Israel has recently conducted successful operations using capabilities typically reserved for a full-scale war in Lebanon. The enemy can only interpret this as Israel preparing for such a conflict, thereby bringing it closer.
Since Israel has previously avoided such a military campaign, we must ask what has changed. Is there confidence that this campaign will have a clear resolution, allowing northern residents to safely return home? Achieving military success against Hezbollah would require more than an aerial campaign over Lebanon, which would result in unprecedented damage to Israel’s home front; it would also necessitate an extensive ground maneuver. And then what? Is Israel prepared to establish and maintain a security zone in Lebanon? If not, are there mechanisms in place to conclude the campaign and ensure a stable situation for the residents’ return?
We hope this isn’t merely a case of seizing an operational opportunity without fully clarifying goals and strategies. The war against the Iranian-led “axis of resistance” continues, with no resolution in sight for Gaza—a fact painfully underscored by the recent deaths of four fighters in the Gaza Strip. A real victory, which is indeed possible, will only be achieved through a political process that establishes a front against the axis, creates an alternative to Hamas in Gaza, and restrains Iran and its proxies.
Without directly addressing responsibility for the explosions that injured thousands of Hezbollah operatives—possibly the most extensive targeted countermeasures in history—it’s evident that Israel has recently conducted successful operations using capabilities typically reserved for a full-scale war in Lebanon. The enemy can only interpret this as Israel preparing for such a conflict, thereby bringing it closer.
Since Israel has previously avoided such a military campaign, we must ask what has changed. Is there confidence that this campaign will have a clear resolution, allowing northern residents to safely return home? Achieving military success against Hezbollah would require more than an aerial campaign over Lebanon, which would result in unprecedented damage to Israel’s home front; it would also necessitate an extensive ground maneuver. And then what? Is Israel prepared to establish and maintain a security zone in Lebanon? If not, are there mechanisms in place to conclude the campaign and ensure a stable situation for the residents’ return?
We hope this isn’t merely a case of seizing an operational opportunity without fully clarifying goals and strategies. The war against the Iranian-led “axis of resistance” continues, with no resolution in sight for Gaza—a fact painfully underscored by the recent deaths of four fighters in the Gaza Strip. A real victory, which is indeed possible, will only be achieved through a political process that establishes a front against the axis, creates an alternative to Hamas in Gaza, and restrains Iran and its proxies.