As talks on a ceasefire between the United States and Iran stall, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Israel launched attacks against each other. The resumption of this conflict risks an already delicate ceasefire. The strikes come as Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu vows to ‘crush’ Hezbollah. The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has intensified strikes in southern Lebanon on Netanyahu’s orders.
In turn, Hezbollah said it staged several attacks on Monday on three barracks and a military post in northern Israel “in response to the violation of the ceasefire” by Israel. The intensifying conflict comes amid waning hopes for an imminent deal between the US and Iran, with Tehran pointing to the confusion in US positions and Israeli interference as key factors in why a complete agreement is proving difficult to secure. Speaking at the weekly foreign ministry press briefing, Esmail Baghaei, the spokesperson for Iran’s negotiating team, also said future management of the strait of Hormuz was a matter for Oman and Iran to reach agreement on, and that it was not tolls that were being proposed but “fees for navigational services”.
In the early hours of Tuesday, Iran-backed Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a series of attacks in northern Israel: at least four drone attacks on Shomera barracks, attacks on two barracks in other towns in the region, and another on a military post in Misgav Am, carried out around midday at short intervals.
Hezbollah is a militant and political Shiite movement based in Lebanon supported by Iran. Its position is divisive. The group launched attacks against Israel at the start of the war following US President Donald Trump’s strikes against Iran on 28 February. Since then, Lebanon has borne the brunt of Israel’s attacks. Another truce is needed as Netanyahu will not be able to dislodge Hezbollah from Lebanon. The group has proven to be resilient at adapting to conflict. Meanwhile the talks between Washington and Tehran remain unpredictable. A binding conclusion and agreement could take days if not months. Oman for its part has long had good relations with Iran and could reach a compromise that may see the Straits of Hormuz reopened and oil trade resumes. Muscat is a very pragmatic power in the region that looks to sustain its own survival.
The Hezbollah drone attacks on Shomera barracks will have struck a bitter chord with Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition. The Israelis are doing as Hezbollah may have intended, escalating their attacks with out thinking about what the repercussions will be. The casualties on the ground of men, women, the elderly and children in Lebanon can only fuel resentment.
Israel’s security cabinet descended into infighting over how to respond to Hezbollah as the group’s increasingly sophisticated drones continue to inflict losses on Israeli forces occupying parts of southern Lebanon. A five-hour cabinet meeting saw a heated exchange between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, according to Ynet. Smotrich, who also holds a post in the defence ministry, reportedly demanded massive retaliation against Lebanese civilian areas, saying: “We need to bring down 10 buildings in Dahiyeh (southern Beirut) in response to every drone.”
Divisions are already being sown amongst Israel’s coalition partners. This could have been what Hezbollah and Tehran intended. Netanyahu and Smotrich may be pushed to their wits’ ends depending on what actions will be taken. Smotrich does not seem to grasp the plot, of carrying out a war. Perpetuating genocide can lead to resentment against Israel both in Lebanon and also amongst the public in nations allied to Israel; ex. the United State and the United Kingdom. Smotrich is insistent on bringing Netanyahu and Israel’s senior staff with him to trial at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Netherlands if he persists.
This comes as a trial against the Israeli leadership for carrying out genocide in Gaza is underway in the Hague.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
