Hezbollah border incursions into Israel show neutrality is not an option for Lebanon

Hezbollah had declared it would avenge the death of one of its fallen fighters who was among those targeted in an Israeli air raid, meaning few were surprised when brief firefight broke out on Lebanon’s southern border between Hezbollah and Israel. With no casualties reported in the aftermath, the question begs, why would Hezbollah even declare the death of this low-level operative, therefore putting itself in the limelight seeking retribution?

Despite any potential motive, Hezbollah’s retaliation was an utter failure as the Israeli army had anticipated their response and was able to repel their initial infiltration and prevented them from inflicting any real damage to their vehicles or personnel.

Perhaps most surprising was Hezbollah’s denial their failed border incursion had taken place as the Iranian-backed militia this week said the attack was fabricated by the Israelis and their “response to the martyrdom of Ali Kamel Mohsen... will surely come.” Hezbollah did not aim to carry out this attack and the group that was ambushed by the Israeli side was merely a reconnaissance patrol scouting the area for a future attack.

Nevertheless, the showdown between Israel and Hezbollah reaffirms that the latter is unhindered by Lebanon’s terrible state of affairs nor does it feel itself responsible for the ongoing economic and political collapse.

Analysts framed this scuffle as a continuation of the ongoing regional standoff, but in reality, the recent operational debacle has nothing to do with avenging a fallen comrade or responding to the regular Israeli airstrikes against targets in Iran and Syria. In fact, Hezbollah simply sought to respond to local Lebanese detractors, primarily the Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi who vocally criticized Hezbollah for dragging Lebanon into regional conflicts and demanded that all sides adopt neutrality by refraining from “engaging in regional and international alliances, conflicts and wars.”

Every time Hezbollah finds itself against the ropes, it resorts to violence to regain control of the narrative. Through the spinelessness and complicity of the majority of Lebanon’s ruling elite, who have time and again failed to protect what remains of the semblance of a functioning sovereign state, Hezbollah has no issue achieving this end. Lebanon’s continued downward fall is inversely related to the ability of Lebanese to reclaim their state – something that might be difficult to do if they shy away from challenging Hezbollah and the political elite who hide behind the armed group.


Source: https://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2020/07/30/Hezbollah-border-incursions-into-Israel-show-neutrality-is-not-an-option-for-Lebanon.html

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