Why Hezbollah and Israel haven't plunged into all-out war
NPR Online NewsJUL 2023
Concerns of Full-Scale War Between Israel and Hezbollah Grow
Image copyright: Amir Levy/Getty Images News [via Getty Images]
The Spin
Pro-Israel narrative
If Hezbollah doesn't withdraw its forces from the border with Israel, Israel will be forced to take military action that would destroy Lebanon. Thousands of Israelis have been displaced from their homes since Oct. 7, and this is simply unacceptable. Israeli civilians have a right to live in their homes without fear of terrorist attacks. Hezbollah must understand that what has happened in Gaza can also happen in Lebanon.
Anti-Israel narrative
Hezbollah is the one in control of the situation as Israel isn't ready for a war with the Lebanese Resistance, which is far stronger than Hamas and possesses a far larger and more technologically advanced arsenal that could devastate Israel. Additionally, a war with Hezbollah would quickly snowball into a full-scale regional war, something that Israel is simply not prepared for.
Cynical narrative
Ultimately, neither side wants to see escalation on the Israeli-Lebanese border. Hezbollah is well aware that neither its supporters — many of which reside in south Lebanon — nor Lebanese society as a whole can tolerate a war with Israel when the country is already in utter disarray. On its side, Israel knows that Hezbollah is far stronger than Hamas and that a multi-front war could be too much for its forces.