All this suggests that two weeks after the start of the Israeli offensive in southern Lebanon, the “fog of war” remains over the outcome of the operations. Neither Tel Aviv nor Hezbollah provide precise information on advances or defenses, we therefore deduce that neither of them is doing as well as expected.
Shiite terrorist militia going through its worst time in decades after the systematic elimination of its leaders and the successors of its leaders. But neither this nor the presence of Israeli tanks and soldiers in their strongholds prevents them from continuing to send projectiles and drones into northern Israel.
In fact, this Sunday there was the largest attack on Jewish soil since the start of the open war against Lebanese terrorists. The drone bombardment left at least four dead and dozens injured, including seven in critical condition. This happened in the town of Binyamina, south of Haifa.
Shortly after, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attackwhich represents a major blow to Netanyahu’s military strategy and Yoav Gallant: The attack was not detected and the protection sirens did not sound, according to the Israel Times. This would mean that terrorists are still militarily active and capable of not only defending themselves, but also causing damage to their enemies on their own territory.
On the other hand, the only thing we know with certainty about the Israeli incursion into Lebanon is that it continues to leave in its wake a trail of wounded belonging to the FINALthe United Nations international force stationed in this country. After the five injured in 72 hours, no Spaniards, reports the UN this Sunday 15 peacekeepers concerned due to skin abrasions and respiratory problems resulting from Israeli attacks near one of its bases in Ramyeh, next to the so-called Blue line which has separated Israel from Lebanon since 2000.
The UN speaks of the presence of tanks and structural damage beyond personal injury, in what it sees as a dissuasive move to encourage them to leave the area. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), for its part, deny that the operation posed any risk to the peacekeepers and assert that it should in no way be considered a threat, even though the evidence seems to indicate the opposite. Currently, UNIFIL, which has been I try in vain to help the Lebanese government, ineffective in maintaining peace south of the Litani River, will remain in its positions. This is what the United Nations itself said in a public statement.
Vehicles of UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) circulate in Marjayoun, near the border with Israel.
Reuters
Netanyahu and the UN
THE refusal to withdraw The north of the zone protected by Resolution 1701, which ended the previous open confrontation between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006, provoked the ire of Benjamin Netanyahu, much less ambiguous and diplomatic in his statements. In an open letter to Antonio Guterresregrets the damage caused to UNIFIL, but insists that it is preferable for it to withdraw from the area as quickly as possible to avoid further incidents. Likewise, he insists on the fact that the Blue Helmets are hostages of Hezbollah, since the terrorist militias take advantage of their presence to place their arsenals nearby, as well as at the entrance and exit of the one-kilometer tunnels. long that cross the country.
According to Netanyahu, UNIFIL soldiers are used as human shields and that is why he cannot guarantee your safety. Israel’s goal, as Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Sunday, is to prevent Hezbollah from recovering its positions in the south and will not stop at any obstacle in its expansion in the region. Even though the pressure on Guterres is obvious and the letter can only be understood as a threat, the truth is that the secretary general does not even have the power to withdraw his troops. Only the Security Council can do this, where, probably, the umpteenth confrontation between the United States on the one hand and Russia and China for another.
Left in the middle are the peacekeepers and the uncertainty over whether this bloc fighting, along with Israeli determination and Hezbollah’s reluctance to stop its own military operations, will end up costing one person’s life. soldier and the diplomatic conflict that will result. From the beginning, Giorgia MeloniItalian Prime Minister and traditional defender of the Israeli regimecalled Netanyahu this Sunday to warn him that any attack on UNIFIL would be “unacceptable” for his government.
Trump attacks Biden
All this comes as the world awaits the announced Israeli response to the Iranian attack October 1st. Tehran continues to brandish its usual threats and the United States continues to demonstrate the proverbial optimism of the Biden administration. According to senior officials disclosed to the American press, the number of possible Israeli targets has been reduced in recent days after the discussion between Netanyahu and Biden. Overall, the most likely is that Israel will end up doing what it sees fit without paying attention to external pressures or promises of apocalypse from its enemies.
In fact, just in case, the United States announced send advanced air defense system to Israelwith 100 of his soldiers to help with his operation. In Washington, they fear not only Israel’s attack and its electoral consequences – which would drag them down if things get out of control – but also Iran’s subsequent response. Here two collide opposing sensitivities in a divided country in two: the Democrats call for caution and diplomacy to put an end to the escalation while the Republicans opt for the harder route.
This Sunday, former President Donald Trump assured FOXNews that Netanyahu was at his private residence in Mar-A-Lago, Florida, and that it was a most productive visit. He called the Israeli leader a “strong man” and praised the fact that don’t obey Bidenunaware that he did not obey him when he presided over the country and that he probably will not do so either if he is elected in November.
A few days ago, Trump encouraged the Israeli prime minister to end Iran’s nuclear program, contrary to his own country’s policy. Not long ago, he had called him “disloyal” in an interview with Barak Ravid. Too much crossed interests in a situation that is only getting more complicated.
