Israel’s Next Steps
Israel has launched a ground operation in southern Lebanon to target Hezbollah, following a series of air strikes and the reported killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. The operation aims to root out Hezbollah’s presence along the southern border to mitigate threats to nearby Israeli communities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to respond to Iran’s recent missile attack, indicating a more aggressive stance this time around. He has stated that Iran will “pay a heavy price” for its actions, and there are discussions about potential targets including Iran’s nuclear facilities, petrochemical facilities, and shipping interests.
The Israeli military is conducting “limited, localized, and targeted raids” in Lebanon, but there are concerns that this narrowly defined mission could expand, similar to the situation in Gaza where Israel’s original goal of targeting Hamas has resulted in widespread civilian suffering.
Key international allies, including the United States, have urged Israel to de-escalate tensions, but the US has also provided private support for Israel’s strategy regarding Hezbollah. The US and France attempted to negotiate a 21-day ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, but Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected the proposal outright.
Iran has issued warnings that any Israeli retaliation will be met with counterattacks, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that this is “only a glimpse of our capabilities”. The trajectory of the conflict remains uncertain, with analysts warning of a perilous path toward war with Iran.
