Ever since Israel launched its Gaza offensive in October, it has also been exchanging fire over its northern border with the Shia militia group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The Iran-backed Hezbollah are ideologically aligned with Hamas, and say they won’t back down until Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza. Now, some in the region are concerned increasing tensions could lead to a full-blown ground war. On Wednesday, Hezbollah confirmed an Israeli airstrike had killed one of its senior field commanders, before responding with its own barrage of rockets.
In Israel domestic pressure to act is increasing, and arguments for the IDF to engage Hezbollah further have been bolstered in recent weeks by bushfires in the north of the country sparked by rocket-fire. As rhetoric ramps up, Lucy Hockings is joined by BBC correspondents Lina Sinjab and Hugo Bachega to discuss whether Israel can really afford a new ground operation, and those calling for de-escalation.
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This episode was made by Laurie Kalus and Rachel Hagan. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
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