Concerns have been rising for months that the Gaza war might spark a second conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the militant group aligned with Hamas and stationed along Israel’s northern border in Lebanon. On Thursday, Hezbollah launched 200 rockets, mortars, and over 20 drones into northern Israel, setting off air-raid sirens for more than an hour, according to the Israeli military. There were no immediate reports of casualties, but Hezbollah stated the attack was partly in response to the assassination of a senior commander in southern Lebanon by Israel the day before.
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has seen multiple strikes since October, resulting in civilian and combatant casualties on both sides, displacing over 150,000 people, mostly in Lebanon. This escalation has pressured the Israeli government to secure its northern region by pushing Hezbollah back.
Hezbollah, founded in the 1980s during Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon, has grown from a guerrilla force into a significant political power in Lebanon. While it retains a loyal following among Shiite Muslims, many Lebanese view it as a destabilizing force. The group, considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and others, is now a dominant player in Lebanese politics, making major changes difficult without its consent.
Lebanon, already in a severe economic and political crisis, can ill-afford another conflict with Israel. The recent hostilities have displaced 100,000 Lebanese and caused substantial economic losses. Analysts suggest that while Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, does not want a wider war, his forces are prepared for it. A broader conflict could draw in Iran and the U.S.
Hezbollah’s arsenal is substantial and more sophisticated than Hamas’s, posing significant risks to Israel. Analysts debate whether Israel should act to weaken Hezbollah now or avoid provoking a larger conflict. Ending the Gaza war with a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is seen as a key step to avoid further escalation.
Original Story https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/04/world/middleeast/hezbollah-israel-new-war.html
Category : Israel-Gaza War (2023- ),Hezbollah,Nasrallah, Hassan,Lebanon,Middle East,Palestinians,Terrorism,International Relations,Civilian Casualties,Politics and Government,Defense and Military Forces,Missiles and Missile Defense Systems,Refugees and Displaced Persons,Israel,Iran,Gaza Strip,Assad, Bashar al-,Syria
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