Israeli military warns it will begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men, move that could split government
PBS NewsHourJul 21
Hezbollah Leader Declares New Phase in War With Israel
Above: A television in Al-Burj Palestinian refugee camp transmits a speech by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on January 5, 2024 in Beirut, Lebanon. Image copyright: Marwan Tahtah/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said during the funeral of top commander Fuad Shukr that the war with Israel has entered a new phase and a response to Shukr's killing is "definite," adding that the group's response would be proportionate to the Israeli strike on Shukr.
Nasrallah also stated that Israel had crossed red lines and it "must now expect rage and revenge on all the fronts supporting Gaza." He also partially blamed the US for escalating tensions in the region.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Israel must be able to defend itself from terrorist attacks from Gaza or elsewhere, and the US is committed to preventing malicious actors from threatening Israel's legitimate concerns. Nonetheless, no one wants to see the situation on the Lebanese border escalate and Washington will continue working toward a diplomatic solution.
Pro-Israel narrative
If Hezbollah continues to attack Israeli civilians, it will face an even more destructive response. Day after day, Hezbollah has fired rockets into northern Israel, displacing the population and sowing terror. Israel has shown incredible restraint due to foreign pressure — but it will soon have to act more forcefully to deal with the presence of terrorists on its borders.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Israel's aggressive posture only demonstrates that it is a rogue state that would rather light the region on fire than stop its genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Netanyahu continues to engage in provocative acts because he has failed to achieve his political and military objectives. While Netanyahu extends the war to ensure his political survival, the US continues to support Israel with a blank check and obfuscate its role in the carnage.
Narrative D
Hezbollah and the regional resistance's primary goal has always been to end the war in Gaza, not start a far larger regional conflict. Nonetheless, Israel's aggression against Beirut and Hamas' political leadership must be responded to.