Escalation of Conflict Between Israel and Hezbollah
As Israel pledges to intensify its military operations against the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, a special envoy from the White House has expressed grave concerns regarding the situation. During his visit to Lebanon on Monday, Amos Hochstein, who serves as a special advisor to President Biden on the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, stated that the current conflict has “escalated out of control.” He emphasized the urgent need for the enforcement of a United Nations resolution that brought an end to the last major war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006.
This trip to Beirut marks Hochstein’s first visit to the Lebanese capital since the Israeli military launched a ground offensive and ramped up aerial assaults against Hezbollah last month. The military campaign, which was initiated in response to months of cross-border rocket fire, has precipitated a severe humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, resulting in the displacement of approximately one-fifth of the country’s population. Furthermore, the ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of over 2,400 Lebanese individuals in the past year, as reported by the Lebanese health ministry.
After weeks of targeting Hezbollah’s military infrastructure and leadership, the Israeli military has recently shifted its focus. It announced that it conducted airstrikes overnight on “dozens of facilities and sites” believed to be used by Hezbollah to fund its operations against Israel. Among these targets was Al-Qard al-Hasan, which U.S., Israeli, and other officials have accused of functioning as Hezbollah’s financial institution. The exact number of casualties resulting from these strikes remains unclear.
In Lebanon, Al-Qard al-Hasan is recognized as a registered charity and plays a crucial role in Hezbollah’s extensive social services network. It is important to note that Hezbollah is not only a military force but also a significant political entity within Lebanon.
In response to the ongoing situation, Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz stated on social media, “Hezbollah has paid and will continue to pay a heavy price for its attacks on northern Israel and its rocket fire. We will keep striking the Iranian proxy until it collapses.” This declaration underscores the determination of Israel to dismantle Hezbollah’s capabilities amidst the escalating tensions.