While much of the international focus is on Gaza, Israel has been simultaneously managing a serious threat from its northern border with Lebanon, where Hezbollah poses a significant danger. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has a powerful military infrastructure and has launched multiple attacks on northern Israel since the conflict began. For Israel, the situation is precarious—it must defend against Hezbollah without escalating the conflict into a full-blown war with Lebanon.
Hezbollah’s strategy involves launching rockets and carrying out cross-border attacks, keeping Israel on high alert. In response, Israel’s military has conducted targeted operations aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s infrastructure and eliminating its key leaders. This strategy has been largely successful, with Israel’s military intelligence suggesting that Hezbollah has suffered significant losses, though the group has reportedly been hiding the full extent of its casualties
Israel’s northern operations have been a delicate balancing act. While the IDF has the capability to strike deeply into Hezbollah-controlled areas, doing so risks provoking a larger regional conflict involving Lebanon and possibly even Iran. The Israeli government has been cautious, focusing on containment rather than all-out war. This is particularly challenging given Hezbollah’s close ties to Iran, which has used its proxy in Lebanon to threaten Israel’s security.
The complexity of Israel’s military strategy lies in balancing these threats while maintaining international support. The United States and European nations have urged Israel to act with restraint in Lebanon, fearing that a broader conflict could destabilize the entire Middle East. At the same time, Israel knows that it cannot afford to let Hezbollah amass further strength, which could jeopardize its security long after the Gaza conflict is over.
Israel’s strategy against Hezbollah is, therefore, a mix of targeted military strikes and diplomatic efforts to prevent escalation. By continuing to neutralize Hezbollah’s immediate threats, while carefully navigating the geopolitical landscape, Israel seeks to protect its northern border without igniting a wider regional war.