Israel threatens to ‘go deeper’ into Lebanon as strikes strain ceasefire
As a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah faces growing strain, Israel’s defense minister has warned of direct action against the Lebanese state if the agreement collapses. The ceasefire, which went into effect last Wednesday, was meant to end escalating hostilities, but tit-for-tat strikes between the two sides have intensified, threatening to unravel the fragile peace.
Monday marked the deadliest day since the ceasefire was implemented, with Israeli airstrikes killing nine people in southern Lebanon after Hezbollah launched rockets at Israeli-occupied territory. Hezbollah justified the attack by accusing Israel of violating the truce terms, further escalating tensions. This exchange has raised concerns that the ceasefire is on the brink of collapse, with both sides engaging in increasingly lethal exchanges.
In response to the growing violence, Israel's defense minister, Israel Katz, issued a stark warning on Tuesday during a visit to the Israel Defense Forces’ 146th Division near the Lebanese border. Katz emphasized that if hostilities resumed, Israel would escalate its military response significantly, warning that the Lebanese state itself would become a target. He pointed out that Israel had previously made efforts to differentiate between Hezbollah and the Lebanese state, as well as between different parts of Beirut, with the Dahiyeh area of the city taking heavy hits. However, Katz made it clear that if the ceasefire fails, these distinctions would no longer be maintained, and Israel would no longer spare Lebanon from retaliation.
Katz’s remarks underline the severity of Israel’s potential military strategy should the situation deteriorate. While Israel has refrained from targeting the Lebanese state directly in previous confrontations, the defense minister's comments suggest that the boundaries between Hezbollah and Lebanon may be erased in the event of renewed fighting. This shift in strategy highlights the growing concerns that the ceasefire is faltering and that the conflict may escalate into a broader war involving not only Hezbollah but also Lebanon as a whole.
The mounting casualties and continuing attacks on both sides signal that the ceasefire is increasingly fragile, and a resumption of full-scale conflict could have catastrophic consequences for Lebanon and the region.
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