What until today has represented one of the three fronts of the war Israel against Hamas and the so-called ‘Resistance axis‘ now risks turning into a new conflict between the ‘Jewish State’ and the Lebanonafter the one in 2006. For the first time since the October 7 attack on the Israeli kibbutzim, after months of exchanges of fire from one side of the northern border to the other between the Idf and Hezbollah militiamen, the Israeli Armed Forces have tried two land incursions in Lebanese territory, as reported by Party of God.
Incursions which, according to what was reported by the Lebanese Shiite militias, were rejected but which, if confirmed, are of particular concern due to the change in posture decided by Tel Aviv. A land invasion after the 2006 one would mean for the government of Beirut having to prepare a country devastated by the economic and political crisis for a new and painful war. An eventuality that in Land of cedars we have been trying to avoid since last October 7, when the clashes between Israel and Hezbollah began, but which would become inevitable if the Idf they put their boots inside Lebanese territory. According to two statements released by the Shiite militiamen, their fighters managed to foil the first infiltration attempt across the demarcation line near Rmeishwhile another attempt was stopped a few kilometers further west, still along the demarcation line, near Ramiyein front of the Israeli barracks of Zar’it.
The news comes at a crucial moment, given that the US negotiator between Hezbollah and Israel arrived in the country today, Monday 4 March. Amos Hochstein, for a new round of talks aimed at “freezing the southern front” of Lebanon where the Lebanese armed movement operates. Hochstein will meet the President of Parliament Nabih Berrian ally of Hezbollah and head of the Shiite party Amal. Hochstein also has meetings with the outgoing prime minister on his agenda Najib Miqatiat the head of a government which includes Hezbollah ministers, and the commander of the Lebanese armed forces, General Joseph Aoun, just returned from an institutional visit to Italy. “The United States is convinced that a diplomatic solution is the only way to end hostilities,” said Hochstein as he arrived in Beirut, adding that “a temporary ceasefire is not enough.” Faced with the possibility of a new Israeli-Lebanese conflict, as in 2006, the special envoy raises the alarm: “A limited war it is not containable“.
According to the Lebanese media, “Hochstein has the objective of separating the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel from that in Gaza” and will propose to the Lebanese institutional interlocutors, close to Hezbollah, a de-escalation plan composed of three phases: stop military operations and consequent return of the displaceddeployment ofLebanese army in the south of the country where Hezbollah currently operates, start of negotiations for the delimitation of the land border between Lebanon and Israel. According to some Lebanese analysts, the request for the presence of Beirut’s regular army in the South represents Tel Aviv’s attempt to ease Hezbollah’s pressure on its militias. These incursions, however, contribute to increasing tension between the parties.
And the message to Israel was sent from Hezbollah. The armed party said it was ready for any scenario of war with the ‘Jewish State’, as stated by Nabil Qawuq, member of the central council: “The resistance has prepared for all possibilities of escalation to achieve a victory greater than that of July 2006. In Lebanon we continue our operations on the ground to support Gaza and protect our people and our country. Our responses (to Israeli attacks, ndr) are heavier than before.” Meanwhile the Party of God fired another rocket hitting the village of Margaliotin Upper Galilee.