Israel-Lebanon: A Look At The Key Players In The Region (file image @Syria_Protector)
Israel has expanded its war in Gaza to Lebanon. Over the past two weeks, the Israeli Occupation Force (IOF) has killed more than 700 people in Lebanon, most of whom were women and children, said Lebanon Health Ministry. As the region is deteriorating into a horrifying regional war, global powers, including the international community remain onlookers, like it had been for the past one year.
Here is a look at the key players in the region:
Israel:
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israel would continue to attack Lebanon until all the displaced from the northern Israel are able to return. The pledge resonates what he said while unleashing inhuman war tactics in Gaza; he said Israel will not stop until all the hostages taken by Hamas – on its October 7th attack in Israel – are returned. However, even after one year, Netanyahu and the IOF could not keep the promise, even though the besieged enclave is only 20 km in width and 40 km in length.
Analysts say that the expansion of war into Lebanon is majorly because Netanyahu “has failed” in Gaza. Ori Goldberg, a Tel Aviv-based political commentator, told Al Jazeera that the Israeli ground offensive in southern Lebanon is part saving its face, and scoring political points domestically.
Netanyahu has been at the end of wrath from the Israelis. He has been accused of prolonging the war. The unprecedented Hamas attack on October 7th was largely perceived as Netanyahu’s failure.
Also Read: “Measure Of Justice” US Responds To Hezbollah Chief Nasrallah’s Assassination
“This is saving face on two fronts. On the one hand, the army is going up against an Arab enemy and proving Israel’s mettle. It’s also about the domestic front. The government made a huge mistake when it evacuated 100,000 citizens from the north. They are a political burden on this government’s shoulders,” Goldberg told Al Jazeera.
Hezbollah:
It is not clear on Lebanon’s part on how it will keep up with the Israeli attack. How much capabilities are in store of Hezbollah is also unknown. Since Israel started its ground offensive today, Hezbollah launched attack on Israeli military base in Tel Aviv, which shows the Iran-aligned group still in position to launch attacks, even after its chief Hassan Nasrallah was assassinated by Israel. Reportedly, over 10 IOF soldiers were wounded during its ground invasion in southern Lebanon.
Israel has deployed its elite group for the Lebanon ground operation. The 98th troop, who were involved in its war in Gaza, are now in Lebanon. Tel Aviv also sent in the 7th armoured brigade. All the troops are said to be well-trained and well backed-up.
Also Read: Israel Begins Ground Invasion Of Southern Lebanon
However, the ground operation is taking place in Hezbollah’s home strength. The special force of the group, Radwan Force is believed to trained especially on fighting in the south region. Reportedly, the force trained solely in the location. This suggest that the group is well-versed in its rocky and mountainous terrain. The situation brings back memories of 2006, when Israelis were caught-off guard when Hezbollah fought back fiercely.
Hamas:
Hamas, the resistance movement of Gaza, expressed solidarity with Hezbollah, and all the factions of resistance in the region. After the assassination of its political head Ismail Haniyeh, and Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, the group said that the killing only strengthened their determination to continue confronting the “Zionist enemy”, until it is defeated.
Hamas put up a strong fight in Gaza in every front. Reportedly, the ground invasion was intense for Israel, and dismantling Hamas through one on one fight appeared extremely difficult. The Israeli military is still reigning down bombs on Gaza, while it reduces Lebanon to ashes.
Iran:
Iran appears to be in a pickle. Tehran and its allies – known to be the axis of resistance – pledged solidarity with Hamas and Gaza, and has been engaged in cross border rocket launch since the beginning of current Hamas-Israel war. What it meant was to put pressure on Israel and reach a ceasefire in Gaza.
From the start, Iran and Hezbollah did not show intention to drag a full-blown war in the region. Sensing the reluctance from its enemy, Israel, assured of full support from US, now launched a full-scale war on Lebanon. Though Iran has signaled that it could take risk for a war after the April attack in Damascus embassy, it went back after the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Also Read: Risk Averse Vs Risk Ready: Understanding The Latest Conflict In West Asia
Israel is provoking Tehran to launch attack. If Iran does not respond, Israel will continue to degrade the axis. And if Iran respond, Israel will attain what it wanted and will launch a full-scale attack on Tehran. Currently, Iran is under immense pressure. If it continues to exercise strategic patience, Israel will continue to pummel its axis of resistance, which in turn will weaken Tehran’s deterrence. If Iran hit back at Israel, the latter will go for a full-blown war with Tehran. It appears that there is no way out for Iran from this mess.
Tehran’s new strategic interests that involve “opening up to the West”, and an end to hefty sanctions while protecting its nuclear programme is also on the table. Any military advancement from Tehran in the region would be a detriment to these priorities.
US:
US continue to provide for Israel, despite the increased calls for restraints. Washington’s actions and words does not add up as usual. US send more troops to the region from the beginning of Israel’s bombing campaign in Lebanon. The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, two Navy destroyers and a cruiser set sail from Norfolk, Virginia, headed to the Sixth Fleet area in Europe on a regularly scheduled deployment, said AP. The departure of the ships indicates possibility that US could keep both the Truman and the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln – which is in the Arabian Gulf – in the region in case of more aggressive violence break out.
Also Read: US Sends More Troops To West Asia As Israel Attacks Lebanon
It appears that Netanyahu government is playing deaf to what America has to say, as US President Joe Biden calls for ceasefire. Biden has been calling for a ceasefire in Gaza for months, and now stated that it is time for ceasefire in Lebanon. Hours after, Israel started its ground invasion in Lebanon. There has been no comment from Washington’s part on the ground invasion.
US also threatens Iran of “serious consequences” if it were to attack Israel. During a call with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin US supported Israel in the “necessity of dismantling [Hezbollah] attack infrastructure along the border” with Lebanon in order to prevent “October 7-style attacks on Israel’s northern communities”. He also added that “I reiterated the serious consequences for Iran in the event Iran chooses to launch a direct military attack against Israel”.
Meanwhile, the international community, Arab countries, Egypt, and Jordan remain hand tied, with UN seeking for money to provide humanitarian aid to the displaced Lebanese people. UAE also announced humanitarian fud, while Qatar and Saudi Arabia condemned the attack.
