What is Israel's ultimate goal in Lebanon? | DW News

Summary

Israel has intensified its attacks against Hezbollah, with airstrikes targeting facilities in southern Lebanon, including weapon storage sites and infrastructure. Lebanese media reported significant destruction, raising concerns over the worsening humanitarian crisis. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu praised the military's efforts while tensions escalated with Lebanon. Hezbollah continues firing rockets into Israel, with their capacity under scrutiny. The conflict also involves broader regional dynamics, including Iranian influence, as Israel contemplates a response to Iranian missile attacks. The situation reflects complex political and military strategies, influenced by US involvement and regional power shifts since the Hamas attack on October 7th.

Takeaways

• 🇮🇱 Israel continues airstrikes on Hezbollah, targeting weapon storage and facilities in Lebanon, particularly in Beirut.
• 🇱🇧 Lebanese media reports four major Israeli attacks, following Israel's army warnings for residents to evacuate.
• 💥 Hezbollah's positions, including a mosque in southern Lebanon, have been destroyed amid intensified Israeli strikes.
• 🕌 Local residents in Beirut question Israel's motives for these bombings, as no visible weapons are present.
• ⚔️ Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu praises his troops for their efforts, emphasizing a shift in reality after a difficult year.
• 🚨 UN's High Commissioner for Refugees warns that civilians are caught in the crossfire and stresses the need to protect civilian infrastructure.
• 🇮🇷 Hezbollah, backed by Iran, continues to fire rockets at Israel, causing damage in northern cities like Haifa.
• 🎯 Israel focuses on eliminating Hezbollah’s command networks and their long-range strike capabilities.
• 🛡️ Israel is balancing military success with political objectives, particularly aiming to disarm Hezbollah and create safe zones in northern Israel.
• 🤔 Concerns grow over how long Israel will continue these attacks before achieving sufficient political and military objectives, particularly in light of Iran's influence in the region.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Israel's attacks against Hezbollah?

Israel's attacks are focused on targeting weapon storage facilities and infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah, as well as attempting to locate and neutralize high and mid-level operatives within Hezbollah's command and control networks.

What has been the response of the Lebanese media to Israel's attacks?

Lebanese media has reported at least four massive attacks by Israel, with local residents questioning Israel's motives for the bombardment and expressing concern over the destruction of civilian infrastructure.

How has the situation affected the civilian population in Lebanon?

The attacks have led to a worsening humanitarian crisis, with civilians caught in the crossfire and many instances of violations of international humanitarian law reported, resulting in damage to civilian infrastructure.

What was the purpose of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the military base on the Lebanon border?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the military base to hold a security assessment with his country's commanders and to speak to troops, emphasizing the success of the military operations against Hezbollah.

What is the role of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in this crisis?

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees met with the Lebanese Prime Minister to discuss the worsening humanitarian crisis and to call for respect for civilian infrastructure and population.

How has Hezbollah responded to Israel's attacks?

Hezbollah has responded by launching rocket and drone attacks from Lebanon, claiming responsibility for targeting military bases in the north of Israel.

What is the estimated percentage of Hezbollah's arsenal that has been expended according to Israeli sources?

There are public reports, based on Israeli sources, suggesting that around 40 to 60% of Hezbollah's arsenal of over 200,000 projectiles has been detected and expended.

What is the primary domestic goal for Israel in its operations against Hezbollah?

The primary domestic goal is to provide a safe enough window for internally displaced persons to return to their homes and to defang Hezbollah to the point where they cannot reorganize and pose a threat to Israel.

Why hasn't Israel retaliated for the Iranian missile attacks as of the time of the script?

While it is more a matter of when rather than if, the delay is likely due to political interactions with the US and the need to define a target package that doesn't cross the red lines set by the US in the region.

How has the approach of the Biden Administration towards the Middle East been described as contradictory?

The contradiction lies in the desire for deterrence in the region while also signaling deescalation. These two approaches are fundamentally contradictory as deterrence requires taking risks that may escalate the conflict, while deescalation aims to freeze conflict and build trust.

How has the region changed since the start of the war in Gaza on October 7th?

The region has drastically changed with a multi-front war that has been devastating to the status quo coalition. There has been a divide between Arab states and the Arab Street, Iran has used military force indirectly and directly against Israel, and the US has drifted due to the contradiction between deterrence and deescalation.