Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah 'could escalate further' | 7.30

Summary

In this interview, Dr. Abdal Abh Habib discusses the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, emphasizing that while there is already a war in South Lebanon and Northern Israel, peace talks are ongoing with the hope for a ceasefire. He highlights Lebanon's desire for peace, the negative impacts of the conflict on the economy and daily life, and the importance of a two-state solution for the Palestinian crisis. Dr. Habib also addresses concerns about the potential spread of Hezbollah's ideology to Australia, asserting that it is not a legitimate fear given the different circumstances in Australia.

Takeaways

• 🔍 There is an ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel, particularly in South Lebanon and Northern Israel.
• 🔄 The assassination of Hezbollah Commander Fad shukar by Israel is seen as an escalation of this conflict.
• 🕊️ There is a current effort to give peace talks a chance to succeed, with a general desire for peace among involved parties.
• 🤝 Lebanon has indirect communication with Hezbollah through various levels of government, including the parliament.
• 🏠 The resistance movement exists due to the occupation of Lebanese land by Israel, and it would cease if the land is returned.
• 🚫 Lebanese people do not want war and desire Israel to withdraw to internationally recognized borders.
• 🛡️ Lebanon seeks a secure border and peace with Israel, without the constant threat of conflict.
• 🚨 The rocket firing by Hezbollah towards Israel is seen as detrimental to Lebanon's economy and livelihood.
• 🌍 Lebanon has a deep understanding of the refugee crisis, hosting millions of Syrians and approximately 170,000 Palestinians.
• 🇦🇺 Developed countries like Australia are being urged to take more refugees from the war in Gaza, but Palestinians primarily wish to stay in Gaza.
• 🏛️ The solution to the Palestinian issue is seen as the establishment of a Palestinian State, aligning with the two-state solution proposed by the United Nations in 1948.
• 🚫 Dr. Abdullah buh Habib disagrees with making it illegal for Australians to travel to Hezbollah-controlled areas in Lebanon, considering it a risky but not necessarily prohibited action.
• 🛂 The fear of Hezbollah's ideology being imported to Australia is not seen as legitimate, as the context of resistance in Lebanon does not apply to Australia.

Q & A

What is the current situation between Hezbollah and Israel according to Dr. Abdal Abh Habib?

Dr. Abdal Abh Habib states that there is already a war going on between Hezbollah and Israel, particularly in South Lebanon and Northern Israel.

How does Dr. Abdal Abh Habib view the assassination of Hezbollah Commander Fad shukar by Israel?

He believes that the assassination escalated the war and could potentially lead to further escalations in the future.

What is the current stance of Lebanon on the peace process?

Lebanon is giving a chance for peace talks to succeed, as everyone wants peace, but acknowledges that new conditions from Israel often arise, hindering progress.

What is Dr. Abdal Abh Habib's opinion on the influence of Lebanese government on Hezbollah's actions?

He mentions that there are indirect representatives of Hezbollah in the government, and they are part of Lebanese society, indicating that there is communication and consultation with them at all levels of the government.

What is the primary reason for the resistance movement in Lebanon, according to Dr. Abdal Abh Habib?

The resistance movement exists because Israel occupies part of Lebanon's land. If Israel returns the land, the reason for resistance would vanish.

What do ordinary people of Lebanon want regarding the conflict with Israel?

Ordinary people in Lebanon do not want war and wish for Israel to withdraw to its internationally recognized borders, thereby securing peace on the borders.

How does Dr. Abdal Abh Habib view the impact of Hezbollah's rocket firing on Lebanon itself?

He would like Hezbollah to stop the rocket firing as it is hurting Lebanon's economy and life, particularly damaging the livelihood of some sectors of the economy.

What is Lebanon's understanding of the refugee crisis in the Middle East, particularly with Syrians and Palestinians?

Lebanon has an acute understanding of the refugee crisis, hosting millions of Syrians and approximately 170,000 Palestinians, and is aware of the challenges this brings.

What is Dr. Abdal Abh Habib's view on developed countries taking more refugees from the war in Gaza?

The transcript does not provide Dr. Abdal Abh Habib's direct opinion on this matter, but it implies the complexity of the issue and the desire for a Palestinian state as a solution.

What is Dr. Abdal Abh Habib's stance on making it illegal for Australians to travel to Hezbollah-controlled areas in Lebanon?

He disagrees with making it illegal, stating that it is risky and dangerous, but it should be a matter of personal choice, not law.

Does Dr. Abdal Abh Habib believe that Hezbollah's ideology could be imported back to Australia?

He does not believe so, stating that Hezbollah is a resistance movement due to the occupied land, and Australia does not have these problems, implying that the ideology would not be relevant or transplantable.

Outlines

00:00

🕊️ Hezbollah and Israel Conflict

Dr. Abdal Abh Habib discusses the current state of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel following the assassination of Hezbollah Commander Fad shukar in Beirut. He acknowledges the ongoing war and expresses hope for peace talks to succeed. Despite the wish for peace, he mentions that new conditions from Israel often disrupt the peace process. He also addresses the influence of the Lebanese government on Hezbollah, explaining that Hezbollah is part of Lebanese society and parliament, and that the resistance would vanish if Israel returned the occupied land. The ordinary people of Lebanon are described as wanting peace and secure borders, and Dr. Habib highlights the negative impact of the conflict on Lebanon's economy and livelihood.

05:01

🏛️ Lebanese Perspective on Refugees and International Involvement

In the second paragraph, Dr. Abdal Abh Habib speaks about Lebanon's acute understanding of the refugee crisis, with millions of Syrians and approximately 170,000 Palestinians living in the country. He discusses the reluctance of Palestinians to leave Gaza and the importance of establishing a Palestinian state as a solution to the ongoing conflict. Dr. Habib also addresses the Australian parliamentary committee's proposal to make it illegal for Australians to travel to Hezbollah-controlled areas in Lebanon, expressing disagreement with the idea of making it illegal but acknowledging the risks involved in such travel.

Keywords

💡Assassination

Assassination refers to the intentional killing of a high-profile individual, often for political reasons. In the context of the video, it is the killing of Hezbollah Commander Fad shukar by Israel, which is a pivotal event that fuels the ongoing conflict and is a central theme of the discussion.

💡Hezbollah

Hezbollah is a Lebanese political and militant organization. It is a key player in the script, with its actions and the reactions to those actions being central to the potential for escalated conflict with Israel.

💡Fad shukar

Fad shukar was a commander of Hezbollah. His assassination by Israel is a significant event in the script and is used to illustrate the current state of tension and conflict in the region.

💡South Lebanon

South Lebanon is a geographical reference used in the script to denote the area where conflict is occurring between Hezbollah and Israel. It is an example of the regional impact of the ongoing conflict.

💡Northern Israel

Northern Israel is mentioned in the script as another region affected by the conflict with Hezbollah. It highlights the cross-border implications of the conflict.

💡Peace Talks

Peace Talks refer to diplomatic discussions aimed at resolving conflicts. In the script, they represent the hope for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

💡Ceasefire

A ceasefire is an agreement to stop fighting, often temporary, between warring parties. The script mentions a ceasefire in Gaza, indicating an attempt to halt violence in another conflict zone.

💡Resistance

In the context of the video, resistance refers to the act of opposing or fighting against an occupying force, which in this case is Israel's occupation of parts of Lebanon. It is a justification for Hezbollah's actions as seen by some.

💡Internationally Recognized Borders

Internationally recognized borders are boundaries between countries that are acknowledged by the international community. The script discusses the desire for Israel to withdraw to these borders, emphasizing the importance of respecting international law in resolving disputes.

💡Refugee Crisis

The refugee crisis in the Middle East, as mentioned in the script, refers to the mass displacement of people due to conflicts, particularly the millions of Syrians living in Lebanon. It is used to highlight the broader humanitarian implications of the conflicts in the region.

💡Two-State Solution

The two-state solution is a proposed resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which involves the establishment of two sovereign states, Israel and Palestine, coexisting peacefully. The script discusses this as a historical and ongoing proposal for resolving the conflict.

💡Parliamentary Committee

A parliamentary committee is a group within a legislative body that investigates or considers specific issues. In the script, an Australian parliamentary committee is considering making it illegal for Australians to travel to Hezbollah-controlled areas in Lebanon, illustrating the domestic political implications of international conflicts.

Highlights

Dr. Abdal Abh Habib believes there is already a war between Hezbollah and Israel in South Lebanon and Northern Israel.

The assassination of Hezbollah Commander Fadl Shukair by Israel escalated the conflict and could lead to further escalations.

There is hope for peace talks to succeed, as everyone desires peace, but Israel often introduces new conditions that hinder progress.

Lebanon does not want war and wishes for a peaceful resolution, including a ceasefire in Gaza.

Dr. Habib discusses the possibility of influencing Hezbollah's actions through government and parliamentary channels.

The resistance movement exists due to Israel's occupation of Lebanese land, and if the land is returned, the reason for resistance would vanish.

Ordinary people in Lebanon want Israel to withdraw to internationally recognized borders to avoid war.

Lebanese citizens desire a secure border and peace with Israel, but also wish for Hezbollah to stop rocket firings that harm the economy and livelihood.

Lebanon has a deep understanding of the refugee crisis, hosting millions of Syrians and approximately 170,000 Palestinians.

Dr. Habib suggests that developed countries like Australia should take more refugees from the war in Gaza.

Most Palestinians want to stay in Gaza, and mass immigration would imply Israeli occupation, which is not acceptable.

The solution to the Gaza and West Bank issues is a Palestinian state, as proposed by the United Nations in 1948.

Dr. Habib disagrees with making it illegal for Australians to travel to Hezbollah-controlled areas in Lebanon due to war risks.

Australians have the right to travel, but the fear is that Hezbollah's ideology could be imported back to Australia.

Dr. Habib dismisses the fear, stating that Australia does not have the same problems as Lebanon and Hezbollah is a resistance movement specific to the situation.

The interview concludes with thanks to Dr. Abdullah buh Habib for joining and wishing him good luck.

Transcripts

Dr abdal abh Habib welcome to

7:30 thank you thank you for having me

now will Israel's assassination of

Hezbollah Commander Fad shukar in Beirut

inevitably lead to war between Hezbollah

and Israel well in fact there is a war

now between Hezbollah and Israel and

South Lebanon and Northern Israel we

wish it is not there but it is and uh I

think what the Israelis did uh by

killing for they escalated the war and

it could escalate further in the future

I think at the present time everybody is

giving a chance for the peace talks to

succeed because everybody wants peace

and but every time we reach a certain

level of Peace then there are new

conditions coming from Israel so we hope

that there will be no war we in Lebanon

we don't want war we don't like Wars uh

and we we hope that the peace process

that's taking place for ceasefire in

Gaza would succeed now you are powerless

to influence hezbollah's actions inside

Lebanon do you even know what they think

about the possibility of a wider War a

bigger scale war with

Israel well we always have talks with

hasbalah they are uh in the

parliament they have also

representatives

indirect representatives in the

government so we talk to them all the

time at all levels of the government and

we consult with them they are part of

the libery society because Israel

occupies part of our land around 400

square kilers or so uh we have resisted

if Israel gives back our land I mean

this the reason for having resistance

would vanish what do the Ordinary People

of Lebanon want they don't want war and

they want Israel to withdraw to its

internationally recognized borders and

give up what occupies from Lebanon so

that we don't have war in our between us

and Israel at all we want a secure

border we want peace on the borders for

between us and Israel I mean but do they

also want Hezbollah to stop its constant

firing of rockets towards Israel I would

like them to stop all of them because

they are they're hurting our economy

they're hurting our life they already we

depend on a good summer uh for

livelihood some some sectors of the

economy and this summer has been

destroyed by by the war in the south so

Lebanon has an acute understanding of

the refugee crisis in the Middle East

with millions of syrians living in

Lebanon and I think approximately

170,000 Palestinians should developed

countries like Australia take more

refugees from the war in

Gaza well I I don't think Palestinians

want to leave the country some of them

would but most of them want to stay in

Gaza they are from Gaza the strip and

they won't stay there you know any any

Mass immigration from Gaza it means that

Israel is going to occupy Gaza and this

is impossible to do it the only solution

for the problem of Gaza for the problem

of the West Bank is to have a

Palestinian State as you know in 1948

the United Nations called for two states

in the geographic pastine one state was

established the other is still fighting

to establish and the bitterness now is

more than it was in

1948 so the best way to do it is to have

a two-state solution like what the world

wanted now a parliamentary Committee in

Australia has asked the foreign minister

to make it illegal for Australians to

travel to the Hezbollah controlled south

of Lebanon would you oppose that step

making it illegal no illegal or no

illegal I don't think anybody would go

there if there is a war it's very

dangerous although there there are

United Nations Forces there and we have

around 4,000 lianes troops down there

sometimes we get hit by Israeli forces

sometimes by mistakes sometimes

intentional but uh but it is risky and

dangerous to go sou down south but it

doesn't have to be illegal

whatever Australians want to do this is

their right to do it but I disagree with

that I think the fear is that um that uh

the philosophy the ideology of Hezbollah

could be imported back into Australia do

you think that's a legitimate fear no

theah is a resistance movement because

we have occupied land and Australia does

not have these problems and I don't

think there would be any anybody who

would uh carry out such kind of ideology

to to Australia from here Dr Abdullah

buh Habib thank you very much indeed for

joining us thank you for having me and

good luck to you