Hezbollah-Israel Conflict Escalates, Raising Fears of All-Out War
The simmering conflict between Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group and Israeli forces has taken a dangerous turn, sparking concerns that the clashes could escalate into a full-scale war. On Wednesday, a rocket fired from Lebanon struck the northern Israeli town of Safed, resulting in the death of a 20-year-old female soldier and injuring at least eight people. In response, Israel launched airstrikes in southern Lebanon, killing ten individuals, including a Syrian woman, her two children, four members of another family, and three Hezbollah fighters. Nine people were also wounded in the airstrikes.
The recent cross-border violence can be traced back to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which was triggered by an attack on southern Israel by Hamas, an ally of Hezbollah. While Hezbollah did not claim responsibility for the rocket strike on Wednesday, the group has vowed to continue its attacks until a ceasefire is achieved in Gaza. The escalating conflict has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation. Let’s take a closer look at the military capabilities of both sides.
Hezbollah’s Military Capabilities
Hezbollah is widely regarded as the Arab world’s most significant paramilitary force, boasting a robust internal structure and a substantial arsenal. With support from Iran, its fighters have gained valuable experience during Syria’s 13-year conflict, where they played a crucial role in tipping the balance of power in favor of government forces. Estimates of Hezbollah’s troop strength vary, with leader Hassan Nasrallah claiming they have 100,000 fighters, while other sources suggest a lower number.
The group possesses a vast arsenal of mostly small, portable, and unguided surface-to-surface artillery rockets. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Hezbollah and other militant groups in Lebanon have approximately 150,000 missiles and rockets at their disposal. Additionally, Hezbollah has been working on developing precision-guided missiles. In the past, the group has launched drones into Israel and successfully hit an Israeli warship with a surface-to-sea missile in 2006. Their forces are also equipped with assault rifles, heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, roadside bombs, and other weaponry. Recently, Hezbollah has introduced new weapons, including a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 6 miles and a warhead weighing 110 pounds.
Israel’s Military Capabilities
Israel’s military strength is bolstered by substantial support from the United States, receiving $3.3 billion in annual funding, along with $500 million for missile defense technology. As one of the best-armed nations in the Middle East, Israel possesses advanced military assets. Its air force includes the American-made F-35 fighter jet, missile defense batteries such as the Patriot system, and the Iron Dome rocket-defense system. Additionally, Israel has developed two missile-defense systems in collaboration with the United States, namely the Arrow and David’s Sling.
The country also maintains armored personnel carriers, tanks, a fleet of drones, and other cutting-edge technology to support ground operations. Israel has approximately 170,000 troops on active duty, with an additional 360,000 reservists available for deployment. With the war now in its fifth month, many reservists have returned home. It is worth noting that Israel has an undeclared nuclear weapons program.
The Severity of the Escalation
While most analysts believe that neither Hezbollah nor Israel desires a full-scale war, there are concerns that a miscalculation by either side could lead to a major escalation. In recent weeks, diplomats from the United States, France, and other countries have been dispatched to the region in an attempt to de-escalate tensions along the border.
Responding to threats from Israeli officials regarding a potential offensive if Hezbollah does not withdraw its forces from the border, Nasrallah stated, “If you expand (the conflict), we will expand.” The exchange of strikes on Wednesday, some of which reached areas far from the border, serves as a clear indication of the risks involved and the potential for the violence to spiral out of control. In 2006, the two sides engaged in a 34-day war that ended in a draw.
As the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel intensifies, the international community remains on high alert, hoping to prevent a further escalation that could have devastating consequences for the region.