The attack that “seemed to be over before it began” – this is how the New York Times describes Hezbollah's long-announced retaliation against Israel. Hezbollah itself says that this was the “first stage” of the attack and reserves the option of “going a step further” if Iran allows it. Meanwhile, the BBC writes that Sunday's exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah appears to be a “significant escalation”. How could the situation in the Middle East develop further?
Hezbollah attacked Israel on Sunday morning, but Israel carried out a preventive strike that was probably largely successful. About 100 fighter jets scrambled into action, fired missiles and eliminated thousands of rocket launchers deployed in the south Lebanon – the Israeli military said.
Hezbollah said it hit 11 Israeli military facilities, fired more than 320 Katyusha rockets and sent drones toward northern Israel.
A Hezbollah drone flying from Lebanon towards Israel before being intercepted by the IDF.PAP/EPA/ATEF SAFADI
The attack that “seemed to be over before it began”
Israelis have been anxiously awaiting a major Hezbollah attack in retaliation for the assassination of a senior military commander. Fuad Shukr, who died in an Israeli attack in Beirut on July 30.
“Yet most of Israel woke up Sunday to find that – for now at least – the long-anticipated attack seemed over before it began,” the New York Times reported, noting that official statements from both sides after Sunday's attacks were fairly moderate in tone.
Hezbollah drone shot down by Israeli fighter jet near Lebanese-Israeli borderPAP/EPA/ATEF SAFADI
Hezbollah on the “first stage” of the attack
Hezbollah announced that it had completed the “first phase” of its attack to avenge the killing of Fuad Shukr, and, as the New York Times reported, “apparently considered it – at least for now – to be over.” Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said he had spoken to Defense Secretary USA Lloyd AustinDuring the conversation, both leaders emphasized how important it is to prevent war in the entire region.
Despite this, the New York daily comments, “the Middle East remains on the edge, and the coming days are uncertain.” Ehud Yaari, an Israeli researcher at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy think tank, indicates that “a gradual escalation may occur.”
Yaari, quoted by the New York Times, points out that Hezbollah, for its part, “seems to be signaling that it is done with attacks for now.” “At the same time, (Hezbollah representatives – ed.) say that this was the first stage of retaliation, leaving open the option of going a step further if they get the green light from Iran,” he added.
Smoke rising over the city of Khiyam in southern LebanonReuters
“Significant escalation”
The BBC, in its analysis, writes that Sunday's exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah appears to be a “significant escalation” and notes that if the number of 100 rockets fired at Lebanon by Israel is true, it would be the largest Israeli attack on Lebanon since the full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006.
He also writes that “there is fear across the region that this latest escalation could once again lead to all-out war.”
The BBC also recalls that for weeks diplomats have been trying to avoid an escalation of the crisis in the Gaza Strip and the development of the current situation into a wider regional conflict. “The United States has warned that the continued lack of agreement between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire and the release of hostages could lead to the failure of these diplomatic efforts.” But – as it notes – despite intense pressure from the US, talks on a ceasefire for the Gaza Strip more than 10 months after the outbreak of the war have not yielded any results.
“Hezbollah is a much more powerful force than Hamas”
The BBC, analyzing the attitude of the Israeli side, points out that the local army claims that it is ready to fight on two fronts: in the Gaza Strip and on the border with Lebanon. But “Hezbollah is a much more powerful force than Hamas”. It is estimated that it has about 150,000 rockets, some of which can hit targets all over Israel. Its fighters, some of whom fought in the war in Syriaare well trained and better equipped than Hamas fighters.
“Many Israelis, especially those in the north, say Hezbollah must be 'taken care of'. Since the start of the war in Gaza, tens of thousands of people living there have been evacuated from their homes, and many have lost their businesses. In southern Lebanon, tens of thousands of people have also been forced to leave their homes because of fears of Israeli attacks,” the BBC recalls.
“The leaders of Israel and Hezbollah say they do not want another full-scale war. However, both sides say they are ready for one,” he concluded.
Israel and the PalestiniansPAP/Maciej Zieliński, Adam Ziemienowicz
tvn24.pl, Reuters, BBC, New York Times
Main image source: Jalaa MAREY / AFP / EastNews