Devastated villages, bombed infrastructure, airstrikes, and ground battles. The war between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah is escalating, resulting in over 1,000 deaths and more than one million displaced people to date.
Israel states it aims to disarm Hezbollah, an ally of Iran, after the militant group entered the wider conflict following the killing of the Iranian supreme leader Khamenei in joint American-Israeli attacks.
A Long-Standing Conflict
The current war is a resumption of the ongoing conflict between the two parties, stemming from the founding of the militant movement and Israel’s subsequent occupation of South Lebanon. Renewed hostilities followed the 34-day war in 2006 and again in 2023 during the war in Gaza.
A ceasefire in 2023 did not end attacks, with Israel regularly striking Lebanon.
Israel maintains five strategic points in southern Lebanon, even after the 2006 war. Israel states it is using the current conflict to dismantle Hezbollah, while also taking territory in Lebanon.
“The New Gaza?”
“I fear Lebanon is becoming the new Gaza,” stated UN Humanitarian Coordinator Tom Fletcher. Oxfam also suggests Israel is using Gaza as a blueprint for Lebanon, attacking water infrastructure similarly.
Israeli Minister Smotrich previously stated that the southern suburbs of Beirut would soon resemble Khan Younis in Gaza. Defense Minister Katz recently announced plans to destroy homes in southern Lebanon, mirroring actions taken in Gaza, where areas of Rafah and Beit Hanoun were destroyed and brought under Israeli control.
“Gross Violence”
Bombardments and battles in southern Lebanon indicate Israel aims to create a “buffer zone,” similar to Gaza. The extent of this zone remains unclear.
“The scale of displacement and destruction is now even greater.” Human Rights Watch warns that the destruction of homes, forced displacement, and attacks on civilians constitute war crimes.
One in five Lebanese citizens are currently displaced.
Displacement is not merely a consequence of the violence, but a tactic to isolate Hezbollah and seize land.
The Dahiya doctrine, developed by an Israeli military leader during the 2006 Lebanon War, advocates for ruthless warfare with no distinction between civilians and militants.
Displacement is also a tactic to isolate Hezbollah and accept land.
The situation in Lebanon is not identical to Gaza, but parallels exist, particularly in Israel’s war logic.
A cessation of hostilities is not currently in sight. The Israeli army chief Zamir stated that the “long-term campaign” against Hezbollah has just begun.
