Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon, Iran’s ballistic attack – there will be no end to this turmoil until a diplomatic settlement is reached
Iran’s ballistic missile attack against Israel yesterday was a significant escalation in the conflict between the two states. And Israel has promised a response, which could include strikes directly against Tehran. However, the most active front in the conflict in the region is still on the Israeli-Lebanese border, where Israel has invaded southern Lebanon. Iran’s attack was claimed to be in response to Israel’s killing of Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah, and Iran’s close connection with Hezbollah means it is deeply invested in the outcome of the conflict in Lebanon. At the same time, while Israel is presenting the invasion as a limited and short-term ground operation, it represents a significant escalation of its conflict with Hezbollah, as well as a huge commitment of military resources. The intertwinement of the Lebanese and regional fronts will impact Lebanon’s long-term security, but also Israel’s.
At no point since it’s inception has Hezbollah been attacked on multiple levels in such a short period of time and with such high losses. In a fortnight, Israel subjected the group to hybrid warfare, flattened its major military sites and assassinated its top commanders and Nasrallah.
