Jacob Magid, Times of Israel, September 27th, 2024
Recap:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is striking Hezbollah “with full force” and will not stop until its northern border is secured.
The Context:
· Israel has made a priority of securing its northern border with Lebanon and enabling the return of 70,000 residents displaced by near-daily exchanges of fire with Hezbollah, which began attacking Israel on October 8th. Hezbollah is barred by international law from maintaining a military presence south of the Litani River but has consistently violated that resolution. Hezbollah has 150,000 rockets and missiles, including some capable of striking anywhere in Israel. Cross-border fire escalated on Sunday after pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah were attacked remotely, killing 39 and wounding nearly 3,000 Hezbollah terrorists. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility [1].
· Lebanese officials say 600 people in the country have been killed since Israel began its aerial campaign targeting Hezbollah rocket launch sites and missile warehouses. Israel also eliminated much of Hezbollah’s senior leadership. Like Hamas, Hezbollah operates from civilian areas leading Israel to warn civilians living in Lebanese villages “to immediately move out of harm’s way [2].” Israel is preparing for a possible ground invasion into Lebanon [3 and activated two reserve brigades for missions in the north.
· The United States, France, Australia, Canada, European Union, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar issued a joint statement on Wednesday calling on Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a 21-day ceasefire during which negotiations could take place on a diplomatic solution to the crisis [4]. Netanyahu swiftly denied a report that Israel would comply. Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on the United Nations Security Council to act immediately “to guarantee the withdrawal of Israel from all the occupied Lebanese territories [5].” Israel has not had a presence in Lebanon since it withdrew in 2000. The first Israel-Lebanon war was fought in 1982 and the second was fought with Hezbollah in 2006.
Conversation Points:
· If regional escalation is a concern, why didn’t the international community call for a ceasefire with Hezbollah on October 8th?
· Would a ceasefire now jeopardize Israel's recent security achievements?
· Why doesn't the international community allow Israel to secure a decisive victory?
Notes:
1. Israel tells its troops to prepare for a possible ground operation in Lebanon, MELANIE LIDMAN, TIA GOLDENBERG and KAREEM CHEHAYEB, AP News, September 25th, 2024
2. Netanyahu Says Israel Will ‘Continue Fighting with Full Force’ In Lebanon Despite US-Led Demand for Cease-Fire, Siladitya Ray, Forbes, September 26th, 2024
3. Lebanon says 558 killed as Israel bombs Hezbollah, fueling a chaotic exodus and flight cancellations, CBS News, September 24th, 2024
4. U.S., France and key allies call for a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon, Barak Ravid, Axios, September 25, 2024
5. Israel tells its troops to prepare for a possible ground operation in Lebanon, MELANIE LIDMAN, TIA GOLDENBERG and KAREEM CHEHAYEB, AP News, September 25th, 2024
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