Lebanon Fears Israeli Escalation, Sees Little Hope in Israeli Elections
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Lebanon anticipates potential Israeli military escalation in its southern regions, with concerns over expanded security zones and civilian displacement. Despite a lull in recent attacks, Israel continues actions aimed at territorial control. Lebanese officials and citizens hold little expectation that Israeli elections will alter the country's policy toward Lebanon, focusing instead on international pressure. Extensive destruction in southern Lebanon, coupled with economic hardship and conditional aid, severely hinders the return of displaced populations.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Lebanon fears Israeli military expansion into southern areas, potentially creating a larger security zone and displacing more civilians.
- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz indicated readiness for deeper incursions if Hezbollah joins an Iranian attack.
- Despite reduced attacks, Israel continues gradual territorial control expansion in southern Lebanese border villages.
- Lebanon does not expect Israeli elections to change the country's policy, prioritizing international pressure instead.
- Around 60 villages in southern Lebanon are destroyed, and over 70 face occupation or Israeli fire, hindering return.
- Lebanon's severe economic crisis and conditional international aid complicate reconstruction and the return of displaced residents.
Lebanon is closely watching Israel's threats to expand its military incursions into southern Lebanon, particularly in the Nabatieh and Litani River areas. Joyce Khoury, Al-Araby TV's correspondent in Lebanon, expressed concerns about the potential for an expanded security zone and further civilian evacuations. These concerns follow statements by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who indicated the Israeli military is prepared for deeper incursions, potentially incorporating new areas into a permanent Israeli security zone if Hezbollah joins an Iranian attack on Israel.
Despite a recent decrease in Israeli attacks over the past two weeks, Khoury noted that Israeli actions aimed at territorial control continue. She cited an incident in the town of Barchit, where Israeli forces erected an earthen barrier dividing the town, placing one section within and one outside the perceived occupied zone, even though Barchit was outside the 'Blue Line.' Khoury described this as part of a gradual Israeli expansion of control in border villages since the ceasefire announcement.
Lebanon's political and popular circles are not pinning their hopes on changes in Israeli leadership, believing Israeli policy toward Lebanon will likely persist regardless of who is in power. Lebanon's priority is to exert international, particularly American, pressure to compel Israel to implement agreements reached in previous negotiations. Khoury assessed that seven rounds of negotiations have yielded only a limited withdrawal from the western Zoutar area, which served as a test for broader withdrawal arrangements.
Khoury warned that the extensive destruction in southern Lebanon makes returning to villages extremely difficult. Approximately 60 villages are completely destroyed, and over 70 face occupation or Israeli fire, rendering return impossible under current conditions. She highlighted western Zoutar, where over 80% of homes were destroyed before Israeli withdrawal, now lacks basic services like electricity, water, shops, and a functioning clinic.
The difficulty of return is compounded by Lebanon's severe economic crisis and a lack of necessary aid for reconstruction. International aid is reportedly conditional on Hezbollah's disarmament, a goal not yet sufficiently advanced. Khoury concluded that even Israeli withdrawals would not guarantee residents' return without essential services, security, stability, and political and economic solutions for rebuilding and resettlement.
Mentioned
