Although many people date the start of the Gaza war to October 7, the reality is that it began a few weeks earlier. Specifically, in late August, when they met in Beirut prominent leaders of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Houthis, Hamas and Hezbollah.
The war that these four groups are waging today against Israel on four different fronts was planned and coordinated in the Lebanese capital.
While it is true that these actors have aspects in common, there are more differences between them. What truly unites them, beyond the anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic rhetoric, is their desire to end Israel. Because Israel is (despite Netanyahu), the only democratic and modern reference in the entire Middle East.
Relatives of the injured terrorists go to the hospital.
EFE
As is the case with Russia and Ukraine or the Baltic Republics, this heterogeneous alliance composed of Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis is trying to eliminate regional models, such as that of Israel, which can serve as a liberal inspiration to its citizens in the near future.
Since October 8, Israel has been fighting Hezbollah in the north, Iran in the east, Hamas in the south and the Houthis in the southeast. This war effort has taken a toll on an open and democratic Western society. After almost a year of war, the political, economic and social wear and tear is beginning to be felt.
Perhaps this is the reason that led Jerusalem to return to its policy of eliminating enemy leaders, instead of other options focused on massive punishment operations with unaffordable humanitarian and reputational costs.
Major enemies of Israel such as Ismael Haniya (Hamas), Mohammed Deif And Saleh al-Arouri (Hamas), Fouad Shurk (Hezbollah) or Hussein Abdallah Mastour (Houthis) have died in mysterious operations in places like Tehran, Beirut and Baghdad in recent months.
“The use of telephones as an explosive weapon is striking, since in February last year, Hezbollah leader Sheikh Nasrallah ordered to stop using mobile phones”
Although there is no confirmation, many suggest that these actions bear the stamp of the Israeli secret services, which is not confirmed, but seems more than likely, since Very few secret services are trained for such complex operations..
Yesterday we witnessed one of these mysterious operations. At least eight senior Hezbollah leaders died when their phone tracking devices exploded. Today, more explosions of other electronic devices are being reported.
The use of these telephones as explosive weapons is striking, since in February last year, Hezbollah leader Sheikh Nasrallahwas ordered to stop using mobile phones as a means of communication between members of the Lebanese terrorist group. In addition to the fear that communications could be intercepted, There were fears that mobile phones could be used as potential bombs..
While it is true that Jerusalem neither confirms nor denies its involvement, the deaths of several members of the Lebanese Shiite group make a direct confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah difficult. A confrontation that, for many, seemed imminent.
“The war conceived in August 2023 in the Lebanese capital can end precisely in Beirut”
Beyond the positive effect that this action can have on the battlefield, Israel is regaining prestige in the field of security and intelligence, since the attacks of October 7 have called into question the capacity of the Israeli security services to prevent terrorist attacks such as the one committed by Hamas.
At the Israeli political level, this action can give a little oxygen to a prime minister challenged by his population, challenged by his Minister of Defense. Yoav Gallantwhich he has tried to dismiss on several occasions, isolated at the international level and above all much discussed by the prestigious Israeli army, which sees in Operation Iron Swords more shadows than light.
Only time will tell whether the action in Lebanon against Hezbollah members delays or halts the Shiite offensive in the north. The intensification of this second front would greatly complicate Israel’s operations in the Gaza Strip. If it were to happen, it would place the Jewish state in one of the scenarios it has always wanted to avoid: a protracted war on several fronts.
The war conceived in August 2023 in the Lebanese capital can end precisely in Beirut because it is the place chosen by the terrorist axis to coordinate actions aimed at eliminating the only democratic, modern and Western reference that persists in the East: Israel.
*** Alberto Priego is professor of international relations at the Pontifical University of Comillas.
