South Lebanon is experiencing heightened Israeli military strikes against Hezbollah, including drone operations that target terrorist infrastructure. Hezbollah is avoiding direct military confrontation while shifting accountability to the Lebanese state. Analysts highlight this strategy as a move to mitigate public backlash against the group’s actions, raising essential questions regarding the government’s response to the ongoing challenges posed by the Israeli occupation and international complicity.
Recent developments in South Lebanon have marked a significant escalation in Israeli airstrikes, primarily targeting Hezbollah operatives and military infrastructure. Following the expiration of a February 18 withdrawal deadline, an airstrike on Saturday resulted in one fatality and one injury. Notably, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee confirmed that the Air Force utilized a drone to strike a Hezbollah operative linked to the enhancement of terrorist capabilities in the region.
The Israeli military conducted extensive operations over southern Lebanese territories, including Nabatieh and Iqlim al-Tuffah, shortly after executing over 20 heavy airstrikes on Friday night across various locations, such as Mount Rihan and Sidon. These strikes have been aimed at identifying and neutralizing Hezbollah military sites, including those associated with weapons storage and rocket launch capabilities that pose a direct threat to Israel.
In an unusual shift, Hezbollah has opted for strategic silence in its military responses, instead attributing responsibility for the ongoing situation to the Lebanese government. This sentiment was echoed by MP Hussein Hajj Hassan, indicating a tactical repositioning by the group to distance itself from accountability amidst escalating tensions.
Riad Kahwaji, director of the Middle East and Gulf Military Analysis Center (INEGMA), observes that Hezbollah’s approach seeks to mitigate public criticism regarding its wartime strategies that have resulted in significant destruction. He argues that this reallocation of responsibility serves as a diversion from the significant risks and challenges facing the region.
Furthermore, MP Hussein Hajj Hassan has articulated the pressing need for the Lebanese government to address concerns raised by the public regarding the ongoing Israeli occupation and its varying strategies. He notably challenged the government’s stance on American complicity in supporting Israeli assaults, promoting an urgent discourse on the path forward for southern communities as well as military and civilian casualties.
The situation in South Lebanon reflects a marked escalation in military confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah, with recent airstrikes targeting Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure. Hezbollah’s strategic silence and shift of responsibility to the Lebanese state invite scrutiny over its accountability. The implications of these developments raise critical questions regarding the government’s response to the Israeli occupation and external influences, notably from the United States, in the ongoing conflict.
Original Source: english.aawsat.com
