Almost Heaven
Well-known
This is a long article. It is worth it if you have the time to read all of it. The analysis is well crafted and insightful. Here's a few tidbits...
A war with Hezbollah would result in widespread damage in Lebanon, perhaps even hastening the slow dissolution of the state. But it would also extract a heavy toll from Israeli troops and the home front, not to mention go against the wishes of the United States and other Western allies.
A limited strike might not solve the Hezbollah threat on the northern border, leaving over 60,000 Israelis still refugees in their own country. Moreover, such an approach still risks potential scenarios that could lead to an escalation into the all-out war that Israel so far has avoided.
And a campaign against Lebanon’s state institutions and infrastructure would certainly spark condemnation in the West, while doing little to degrade Hezbollah’s military capabilities.
With the dual overnight Tuesday-Wednesday strikes on Hezbollah military leader Fuad Shukr and, allegedly, on Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, Israel seemed to reject all those options, at least for the time being. In killing Shukr, it removed an experienced commander and major asset for Hezbollah from the playing field. But it did not threaten any Hezbollah capabilities or harm large numbers of civilians, projecting strength while seeking to avoid forcing the terror group into a war.
www.timesofisrael.com
A war with Hezbollah would result in widespread damage in Lebanon, perhaps even hastening the slow dissolution of the state. But it would also extract a heavy toll from Israeli troops and the home front, not to mention go against the wishes of the United States and other Western allies.
A limited strike might not solve the Hezbollah threat on the northern border, leaving over 60,000 Israelis still refugees in their own country. Moreover, such an approach still risks potential scenarios that could lead to an escalation into the all-out war that Israel so far has avoided.
And a campaign against Lebanon’s state institutions and infrastructure would certainly spark condemnation in the West, while doing little to degrade Hezbollah’s military capabilities.
With the dual overnight Tuesday-Wednesday strikes on Hezbollah military leader Fuad Shukr and, allegedly, on Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, Israel seemed to reject all those options, at least for the time being. In killing Shukr, it removed an experienced commander and major asset for Hezbollah from the playing field. But it did not threaten any Hezbollah capabilities or harm large numbers of civilians, projecting strength while seeking to avoid forcing the terror group into a war.
Iran-led axis likely to launch joint attack, but can’t reverse Israeli gains in Gaza
After strikes in Beirut and Tehran - and a US attack in Iraq - Tehran will look to retaliate. Hamas, meanwhile, seems unable to do much, with hostage deal its best shot at survival
www.timesofisrael.com
