Tensions continue to rise on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, and there are reports of Israel’s war cabinet discussing a full-scale war against Lebanon.
Hezbollah and Israel have been fighting almost daily since October, with nearly constant Israeli airstrikes against southern Lebanon. The US and France have been trying to negotiate a settlement to see the attacks stopped by both sides and Hezbollah moved back from the Litani River.
Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir doesn’t want to wait for a deal. Visiting the north today to inspect the damage from rocket fire, Ben Gvir insisted that Israel’s military duty now is to “destroy Hezbollah.”
Britain recently warned Lebanon of the likelihood of an imminent Israeli attack, in mid-June, and the start of a war “whose geographic expansion and duration will not be known.”
Qatar also spoke up, expressing concern about Israel’s intentions toward Lebanon, saying it does not believe Israel wants a ceasefire. Following Ben Gvir’s comments, this seems a realistic take on the situation, at least given the current government.
While a mid-June date is not far away, it should be remembered that Israel mentioned numerous deadlines for launching the war in winter and spring. The US has repeatedly warned Israel that launching a concurrent war in Lebanon, in tandem with the ongoing conflict in Gaza, would stretch Israel’s resources too far.
Israeli officials dismissed the idea they’d be stretched thin by multiple full-scale wars on their border, and military officials have repeatedly expressed readiness for the conflict.
Man, I am getting so tired of hearing about Israel, whose leadership is vying with Kiev's for most obnoxious jerkoffs on the planet.
I've seen this playbook before. Haven't I ? Make a quick, almost lightning-like war in one direction (south)(or west) then when that is handily resolved, quickly redeploy your forces north (or east) and easily defeat the Sovie…erm, Hezbollese of Lebanon.
Wars on two fronts are easy. That's why aggressors find 'em so likeable.
Also :
"…it should be remembered that Israel mentioned numerous deadlines for launching the war in winter and spring."
Yes, I remember every "window of opportunity" for US-backed IDF warplanes to strike Iran. I kept a few in my Outlook calendar to remind me to check this site for news of an attack – which luckily, never happened.
"The US has repeatedly warned Israel that launching a concurrent war in Lebanon, in tandem with the ongoing conflict in Gaza, would stretch [USA CHARITY TO THE IDF] too far."
The USA has a goal to be ready to fight, what, 2.5 wars simultaneously – presumably the Russian Federation, DPRC, and one of (DPRK or IRI) ? Having to ship more of its military equipment to the ASI would weaken the USA's warmaking abilities.
Which is exactly what the Middle East Axis of Resistance is counting on – attriting US logistics just like Russia has attrited NATO logistics.
Israel would love to stop the daily attacks by Hezbollah. But they cannot do so without visiting on the Lebanese civilian population the same horror they visited on Gaza. That has political costs since Lebanon did not commit the Oct 7 atrocities that Hamas did.
To eliminate Hezbollah without massive civilian loss of life means Israel has to militarily occupy south Lebanon and create a buffer zone , something they did in the 1990s and that ended in a quagmire for them.
Your suggestion would never work.
This may be the beginning of deploying Israel's, 'Sampson Option.' but, they will use foreign powers to destroy each other since Israel's nuclear stockpile couldn't complete the job, just start it, then let other regimes finish it.
I've given some credence to the suggestion that a good number of Israeli embassies in a good number of Western countries each have (or are at least quietly implied to those nations' leaders to have) an interesting device on-site at each; one that would entirely eliminate the need for nuclear MISSILES to reach those selfsame cities if the Samson Option were employed…
Father’s Chosen People, have truly lost their way………..Again.
Maybe the time has finally arrived for All of you to see the light, love and Peace from Father, Mother and Son…..
Of course they don't care. They know the US will bear the brunt of the fighting in the Middle East, whether in Lebanon or Iran. Which is a miscalculation, because Hezbollah can do serious damage long before the US can commit adequate resources to the war.
Reportedly the US has sent B-52's around the Middle East recently, although that may have been a move to try to intimidate Russia, as two B-52s reportedly flew over the Black Sea right up to Russia's borders. Which is why Russia is telling the US to back off before WWIII starts. But clearly the Biden crowd of crazies is capable of comprehending who they're threatening – either in Lebanon or Iran or Russia.
Of course, the Israelis want a piece of Lebanon – there is valuable land and water there unlike the "picked over" carcass of Gaza. What do you not understand about the Israelis?
A better question is what you understand about the Israelis?
She's got their number and we've got yours, Zioboy.
They are expecting to defeat Hezbollah with a major assist from US. This contemporaneous with the "silly season" of conventions and debates in US where a majority is already opposed to the Zionazi genocide.
"Silly Season:" you mean that quadrennial electoral bowel movement wherein the two most massive turds possible are dropped into the public arena for the people to choose the lesser of two stinks?
Yeh, I admit “silly season” comes nowhere near the repulsive reality.
What a great idea because the first one went so will and now Hezbollah is even better armed. Go Hezbollah.
War is not a football contest where one roots for a side by "Go Hezbollah". If a full scale war breaks out in Lebanon many will die. Is that what you want?
Considering your previous comments, you are all about Israel going to war everywhere.
No that’s not what I want and neither does anyone in the region. If isarel is dumb enough to do this again then Go Hezbollah.
Israel needs to be stopped ASAP and whoever decides to get the job done, will go down in History as stopping the CANCER called Zionism. Hitler had to be stopped, Netanyahu has to be stopped. In Israel there are children parading in the streets like good little soldiers, they are the future Nazis for Netanyahu, whose people are complicit in the Genocide. The Germans paid a heavy price for doing nothing, the Israelis will have to pay a heavy price also. I thought for sure by now, the Israelis would have thrown the GHOULS out of Office, but NO, instead they block aide trucks to starving children.
Madness. As usual. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpl4wkWMJtE
"The US has repeatedly warned Israel that launching a concurrent war in Lebanon, in tandem with the ongoing conflict in Gaza, would stretch Israel’s resources too far."
What Israel worry?… Not when it has the unlimited resources of Uncle Sap to back them up