Israel's Strategic Aims Amid Ongoing Conflict in Lebanon
Military and strategic expert Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi has raised concerns regarding Israel's exploitation of current international and regional dynamics to broaden the conflict in the Middle East. He emphasizes that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government is pursuing strategic objectives that extend beyond the immediate confrontation with Hezbollah. Recently, Israeli occupation aircraft targeted the southern suburb of Beirut, specifically aiming at Hezbollah military leader Ibrahim Aqil, indicating a direct assault on key security and military figures within the organization.
Al-Duwairi outlines two primary strategic goals of the Netanyahu administration: the first is to push Hezbollah beyond the Litani River and diminish its presence in Syria, particularly in the Golan Heights. The second goal focuses on countering Iran's nuclear ambitions and halting Iranian support for the so-called “resistance front” in the region. This calculated approach, according to Al-Duwairi, showcases Netanyahu's intent to exploit the existing circumstances to advance Israeli interests.
Despite the declining humanitarian image of Israel and its frequent violations of international law, the United States continues to act as Israel's primary protector. Al-Duwairi criticizes the imbalance in American politics, noting that both major parties are reluctant to criticize Netanyahu, which he believes emboldens Israel to escalate its military actions. He warns that Netanyahu may seek to expand the conflict to include Iran, potentially dragging the U.S. into a broader confrontation.
The regional response from Arab nations has been characterized as ambiguous, with Al-Duwairi questioning the effectiveness of their positions regarding the ongoing violence in Gaza. He points out the lack of decisive action from 20 Arab countries, suggesting that their timid statements only serve to embolden Israeli aggression. Locally, Lebanon's political instability, marked by a power vacuum and internal divisions regarding Hezbollah’s role, further complicates the situation. Al-Duwairi asserts that the current international, regional, and local conditions favor Israeli objectives more than they did prior to October 2023.
Since the outbreak of hostilities on October 8, 2023, exchanges of fire between Lebanese and Palestinian factions, particularly Hezbollah, and the Israeli army have resulted in significant casualties, predominantly on the Lebanese side. The ongoing conflict is exacerbated by the war in Gaza, which has claimed over 136,000 Palestinian lives and left thousands more injured or missing, contributing to widespread devastation and humanitarian crises.
