Despite near-daily threats to expand the war in the south, Lebanese authorities do not view this as a likely scenario. According to sources close to the government, these threats are part of sustained pressure from the United States, Israel, and their allies aimed at pushing the Lebanese authorities to take action against Hezbollah and to increase internal tensions.Many actors, including some within official circles, believe the current situation — described as” neither full war nor peace,” or a “low-intensity conflict” — better serves Israeli and U.S. interests than a broader escalation.Israel is using this situation to heavily damage large parts of the south, as part of a strategy to deter residents from returning to their towns, while avoiding accountability and limiting its own losses.For their part, the Americans can use this...
Despite near-daily threats to expand the war in the south, Lebanese authorities do not view this as a likely scenario. According to sources close to the government, these threats are part of sustained pressure from the United States, Israel, and their allies aimed at pushing the Lebanese authorities to take action against Hezbollah and to increase internal tensions.Many actors, including some within official circles, believe the current situation — described as” neither full war nor peace,” or a “low-intensity conflict” — better serves Israeli and U.S. interests than a broader escalation.Israel is using this situation to heavily damage large parts of the south, as part of a strategy to deter residents from returning to their towns, while avoiding accountability and limiting its own losses.For their part, the Americans can use...
