Israel warns of escalating military operations against Hezbollah
Israeli soldiers ready their kit, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, in northern Israel October 1, 2024. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart
Israel has warned that it could accelerate military operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah, accusing the group of re-arming and the Lebanese government of failing to enforce disarmament commitments, Arab Weekly plus agencies reported on November 3rd.
A year after a US-brokered ceasefire between the two nations, Israeli air strikes continue to attack southern Lebanon under the pretext of targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, stated: “Hezbollah is playing with fire, and the president of Lebanon is dragging his feet”. He warned that operations in the south “will continue and even intensify”, insisting Israel would not allow threats to its northern border.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated this stance, stating Israel would exercise its “right of self-defence” under the ceasefire and “not allow Lebanon to become a renewed front”, indicating that the decision to maintain a presence in Lebanon until Hezbollah is fully disarmed has been reaffirmed.
Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Tom Barrack called Lebanon a “failed state” under Hezbollah’s control, urging Lebanese officials to hold direct talks with Israel rather than relying on intermediaries as done previously.
Speaking at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Barrack said Washington would pressure Israel “to be reasonable” if Beirut agreed to negotiations, suggesting that Syria’s security dialogue with Israel is an example to follow.
Attempts by the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah have been met with resistance, as the party has cited Israeli presence in the south as a reason to remain armed to defend national sovereignty. Despite this, Hezbollah has been significantly weakened following last year’s war with Israel, forcing the group to acknowledge government decisions more openly.
Despite repeated attacks on its territory, the Lebanese government has shown willingness to engage in negotiations with Israel, whilst calling out Israel for refusing to engage.
Arab Weekly plus agencies, Maghrebi.org
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Subscribe to receive our FREE weekly PDF magazine
