Israel Urges Shift From Negotiations to Confronting Hezbollah in Lebanon
Israel continues to engage in conflict with Hezbollah rather than holding the Lebanese state accountable for enabling the group's existence. Despite ongoing negotiations with the Lebanese government, Israel faces a paradox as this government lacks control over Hezbollah, which wields significant military power and dictates security conditions along Israel's northern border. The article argues that Israel mistakenly treats Hezbollah as a separate terrorist entity instead of recognizing its deep integration within Lebanon's power structures.
The author criticizes Israel for adapting its strategy to external political pressures, particularly from Washington, instead of responding to the operational realities on the ground. The United States is described as having economic interests in perpetuating conflicts in the Middle East, benefiting from arms sales and military technology testing, which discourages conflict resolution. This dynamic has led to repeated cycles of violence, ceasefires, and enemy rearmament without decisive outcomes.
The piece calls for a fundamental change in Israeli policy, emphasizing the need to end the conflict rather than merely managing it. It stresses that as long as Lebanon fails or refuses to restrain Hezbollah's military activities, the Lebanese state must bear responsibility for attacks against Israeli civilians. The author advocates for a strategy aimed at creating a new reality where Hezbollah's continued operations are no longer viable, ensuring long-term deterrence and security for Israel.
The article concludes by urging Israel to abandon the false separation between Lebanon and Hezbollah, resist international pressures that limit its freedom of action, and develop an independent policy focused on national interests and lasting peace. The author, Yuval Malka, a retired police officer and former head of the Border Police intelligence unit, highlights the urgency of redefining Israel's approach to the northern border conflict.
