- The Guardian
- Issue #2193
“Every day is bringing a new expansion in Israel’s war against Hezbollah.” The BBC’s bland phrase conceals a brutal land grab that is killing Lebanese civilians and igniting more resistance to Israeli expansionism, both in Lebanon and in Israel itself.
There’s a ceasefire in effect, but Israel has violated it many times. Al Jazeera’s Obaida Hitto has said that the “illusion” of a ceasefire is entirely gone.
Israel has attacked southern Lebanon. Despite threatening Beirut, it has not struck the Lebanese capital at time of writing. Israel earlier warned it would act with “extreme force” and told residents to move north of the Zharani River.
According to the Lebanese health ministry the strikes killed at least 11 people. Israeli forces have also attacked Tyre where at least 15 people were killed.
Israel likes to call its strikes “targeted,” but there have been reports of a drone strike killing six people in a family trying to flee one of the villages Israel threatened.
Large numbers of fleeing people have strained emergency services in Lebanon to breaking point.
LAND GRAB
Israel has declared a “buffer zone” inside Lebanon, but there are fears it will become a permanent expansion of Israeli territory. Israel’s Finance Minister has called for the Israel attack to end “with a different reality entirely … with the change of Israeli’s borders.” Netanyahu has not responded to requests for comment.
In the current attacks, Israel has advanced beyond the Litani River in southern Lebanon for the first time since 2006. Israel has declared the river the perimeter of its “buffer zone,” supposedly for safety against attacks by Hezbollah, but looking very permanent.
Al Jazeera reports that Israeli forces are encircling the city of Nabatieh in preparation for a possible assault on the city. Nabatieh is a Shia-majority city that is a cultural hub for the region as well as being key to southern Lebanon’s economy.
On 31 May, Israel announced that it had seized Beaufort Castle, a 13th century fort and strategic position. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz called the capture an important tactical victory.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has denounced the “dangerous and unprecedented” escalation of Israeli violence. He described Israel’s actions as part of a “scorched-earth policy.”
25 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Lebanon since 2 March.
BACKSTORY
Lebanon celebrates Resistance and Liberation Day on 25 May, the date the Israeli was pushed back by Hezbollah fighters in 2000. The Israeli army had entered Lebanon in June 1982 in pursuit of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, reaching as far north as Beirut, and had retreated to the south by 1985, where it remained for fifteen years until it was forced out by Hezbollah fighters. The day is still a public holiday, but celebrations are subdued this year.
Israel is attacking not just during a ceasefire, but also during talks with the Lebanese government on how to arrange security that’s acceptable to both governments.
During a recent visit to Israeli troops, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s warmongering Prime Minister was belligerent, announcing that attacks would continue, including attacks on Beirut.
Israel’s aggression has led some to conclude that it’s an unstoppable force, but some analysts have suggested that it has been taken by surprise by Hezbollah’s resilience and ability to inflict damage on the IDF. Hezbollah has been successfully targeting Israeli forces and tanks.
Netanyahu is facing political pressure at home from Israelis tired of insecurity and war. The war is always sold to them as a way of ending the insecurity, but seems to just fuel more war and more insecurity. Israelis are tired of being at war, and recent polling suggests Netanyahu would be out of government if an election were held now.
SEXUAL ABUSE
A UN report says that 31 cases of sexual violence by Israeli forces against Palestinians have been verified in Gaza and the West Bank.
Typically, Israel has responded by rejecting all allegations and announcing that it will break off relations with the UN Secretary General’s office.
Violations such as forced nudity, rape and gang rape were verified by the office of UN Secretary General António Guterres.
