Thick smoke rising into the sky over Rashaya Fawqar, South Lebanon, following an Israeli strike, Sept. 15, 2024. (Credit: Rabih Daher/AFP)
Tel Aviv described the distribution of leaflets urging residents of the Wazzani area in southern Lebanon to evacuate as an “individual initiative” by brigade commanders, ahead of a potential Israeli offensive.This incident highlights the deep divisions within Israel over its approach to the Lebanese front: Some push for a full-scale military operation, including a ground offensive, while others prefer ramping up airstrikes against Hezbollah positions to force a cease-fire agreement, independent of the war in Gaza.In regular armies (unlike militias), “individual actions” are unlikely unless there is internal conflict within the command. This could, however, signal a new form of Israeli pressure on Lebanon, particularly psychological pressure on its citizens, adding another element of pressure on Hezbollah. The leaflet-dropping operation...
Tel Aviv described the distribution of leaflets urging residents of the Wazzani area in southern Lebanon to evacuate as an “individual initiative” by brigade commanders, ahead of a potential Israeli offensive.This incident highlights the deep divisions within Israel over its approach to the Lebanese front: Some push for a full-scale military operation, including a ground offensive, while others prefer ramping up airstrikes against Hezbollah positions to force a cease-fire agreement, independent of the war in Gaza.In regular armies (unlike militias), “individual actions” are unlikely unless there is internal conflict within the command. This could, however, signal a new form of Israeli pressure on Lebanon, particularly psychological pressure on its citizens, adding another element of pressure on Hezbollah. The leaflet-dropping...
