US policy may embolden Israel to escalate conflict in Lebanon

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Lebanon Sees Increased Tensions Amid Israeli Military Activity

Beirut, Lebanon – Reports indicate that Israel has launched dozens of attacks on south Lebanon in recent days, sparking concerns about a potential escalation of military activity. The United States and Israel have been pressing Lebanon to ensure the disarmament of the Shia group Hezbollah.

According to UN officials, Israel has violated the ceasefire agreement more than 10,000 times since November 2024. Despite an ongoing ceasefire, tensions remain high, with many Lebanese displaced from their homes along the southern border.

A recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on December 29 is believed to have given Netanyahu a green light to begin a new offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has reported that Israel has continued to attack Lebanon almost daily, with the areas primarily targeted being predominantly inhabited by Shia Muslims.

Hezbollah’s long-time leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was among those killed in the attacks. A ceasefire agreement was reached in November 2024, but Israel failed to withdraw its troops from Lebanese territory within the agreed timeframe. Instead, it maintained control of five areas inside Lebanon under the guise of ensuring its security.

Lebanese government and military officials have reported that Hezbollah’s infrastructure has been dismantled in south Lebanon, while Israeli authorities claim that extensive military infrastructure still exists in the area. Analysts have expressed concerns about internal tensions leading to violence if Israel continues to attack without impunity.

The Lebanese Army announced on January 8 that it had completed its mission of disarming Hezbollah south of the Litani River. However, Israeli officials dispute this claim, stating that Hezbollah is rearming faster than it is being disarmed.

Source: Al Jazeera