Escalation Between Hezbollah and Israel: A Military Perspective
Military expert Brigadier General Elias Hanna has highlighted the ongoing escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, indicating that a political solution is currently not in sight. In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, he analyzed the implications of Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem's latest speech, which he interpreted as a display of strength coinciding with the recent bombing of Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.
Hanna noted that Qassem's remarks signal a new phase in Hezbollah's military posture, emphasizing the group's preparedness to confront the Israeli army. Qassem stated that Hezbollah's primary goal is to prevent Israeli occupation from achieving its objectives, asserting that the outcome of the ongoing conflict will be determined on the battlefield. He further claimed that Hezbollah's missiles and drones are capable of reaching any location in Israel.
The military expert pointed out that deterrence cannot rely solely on rhetoric; it must be demonstrated through military actions. This was exemplified by Hezbollah's recent attacks on Israeli military bases near Haifa and the missile that struck the vicinity of Ben Gurion Airport, which temporarily halted air traffic. Although no injuries were reported from the missile fragments that fell in the greater Tel Aviv area, the incident underscores the escalating tensions between the two parties.
Hanna elaborated that Hezbollah is strategically targeting a critical area in Israel encompassing Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem, while Israel, in turn, is focusing its efforts on key regions in southern Lebanon, particularly the southern suburbs of Beirut and the Bekaa Valley. He emphasized the importance of maintaining control over the southern region of Lebanon, particularly the area south of the Litani River, which is approximately 30 kilometers from the Lebanese-Israeli border.
On the Israeli side, the military is leveraging its intelligence and air power capabilities to impose significant costs on Hezbollah, aiming to compel the group to submit to Israeli demands. Hanna concluded that both Hezbollah and Israel remain distant from any potential political resolution, as the conflict continues to escalate with no signs of de-escalation.
