Another Take: What is the risk of wider conflict between Israel and Hezbollah?
Jun 22, 2024
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Al Jazeera Senior Correspondent Zeina Khodr discusses the risk of wider conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, exploring escalating tensions, casualties, economic hardship in southern Lebanon, Hezbollah's strategic calculations, and the emotional toll on journalists reporting on the conflict.
Escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah raise fears of wider conflict.
Hezbollah's military advancements and alignment with Iran pose complex dynamics in Lebanon.
Deep dives
Escalation of Tensions at Lebanon-Israel Border
Tensions between Lebanon and Israel have escalated, with the Israeli military approving war plans and Hezbollah warning of retaliation. Amidst daily fire exchanges, Hezbollah and Israel target each other's military positions, escalating concerns of a broader conflict. Hezbollah's use of ground-to-air missiles and shifts in targeting strategies indicate a heightened military standoff, but a full-blown conflict has not yet unfolded.
Impact of Conflict on Lebanon
The conflict has led to casualties on both sides, including Hezbollah fighters and journalists. The violence has caused displacements, turning border villages into ghost towns amid existing economic turmoil in Lebanon. With a fragile economy and limited resources, Lebanon faces challenges in supporting displaced populations and handling the repercussions of a potential all-out war.
Hezbollah's Strength and Domestic Perception
Hezbollah's military capabilities have significantly advanced since 2006, boasting precision-guided rockets and trained urban warfare fighters. The group's alignment with Iran in resisting Israel poses a complex dynamic within Lebanon, where domestic opinions on Hezbollah vary. While Hezbollah garners support for its historical resistance against Israel, its involvement in conflicts beyond Lebanon raises concerns about serving external interests over national welfare.
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on Oct 31, 2023. None of the dates or references from that time have been changed.
Since Hamas launched a surprise assault against Israel on October 7th, Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia and Israel have been regularly exchanging fire across the border. So, could mounting tensions between them start yet another war, and what might that mean for Lebanon?
This episode was updated by Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was David Enders, Sonia Bhagat, Miranda Lin, and our host Natasha Del Toro, in for Malika Bilal.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer.
Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.