Lebanon Braces for Israeli Escalation Ahead of Knesset Elections

Lebanon is entering a period of cautious anticipation on the eve of Israeli Knesset elections, scheduled for Tuesday, amid escalating Israeli threats of a new military campaign against Iran and Hezbollah. This comes after the conclusion of Lebanese-Israeli military negotiations, mediated by the U.S. in Tampa last week, without tangible results. Attention in Lebanon is focused on the south, with fears of a sudden confrontation that could reignite war with greater danger and destruction, while concerns grow over a renewed U.S.-Iran confrontation. Lebanese officials and citizens are cautiously awaiting the repercussions of the Israeli elections on Tuesday and the upcoming U.S. midterm elections next week. This coincides with Israeli media reports of the Israeli army preparing for a new round of fighting with Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that Israel would strike Iran again, raising Lebanese fears of a repeat of the war that broke out on March 2. Amidst this atmosphere, crisis cells affiliated with Lebanese parties in various regions have reactivated their operations and are preparing for emergencies in anticipation of any potential confrontation, alongside an increase in demand for home rentals. On the ground, Israeli escalation continues in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army launched raids on Al-Mansouri, Wadi al-Hujair, Kafr Tibnit, the outskirts of Barishit, and Taloussa. A quadcopter drone dropped a projectile onto the roof of a building in the town of Mevedon. The Israeli army also carried out a series of explosions in Yahmor al-Shaqif, Hula, Khiyam, and Taloussa, while artillery shelling hit the outskirts of Zawtar al-Sharqiyya, Mevedon, Barishit, Al-Mansouri, Majdal Zoun, and Wadi al-Slouqi. Israeli warplanes also flew over the capital, Beirut, amid ongoing concerns about the widening scope of the escalation.