After bombarding Gaza relentlessly, which resulted in the deaths of over 30,000 innocent people, including children and women, since October 7, Israel has vowed to intensify its lethal strikes on Lebanon.
In recent days, Israel has increased its air assault, hitting further into Lebanon. Last week's strikes got within 27 miles of Beirut, the capital.
Israel's defense minister, Yoav Gallant, revealed that the forces are going to escalate strikes on Lebanon's Hezbollah even if a cease-fire with Hamas is struck in the Gaza Strip, despite Hezbollah's pledge that it will pause its resistance if a cease-fire is reached in Gaza.
However, Israel's Defense Minister declared, "We will continue to fire, and we will do so independently from the south, until we achieve our goals."
US ‘Concerned’
The United States administration and intelligence officials are concerned that Israel is planning a ground incursion into Lebanon, which could take place in late spring or early summer if diplomatic efforts fail to push Hezbollah back from Israel's northern border.
Damage
It is pertinent to mention here that violence has forced tens of thousands of citizens on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border to flee.
Over 200 Hezbollah members and 35 civilians have been killed in Lebanon in over five months as a result of Israeli military attacks. On the other hand, about nine Israeli troops and nine civilians have died thus far.
Since October 7, Lebanon's hamlet of Nabatieh has withstood significant strikes by Israeli forces and has now been reduced to rubble.
Israel’s Netanyahu Needs War
Many have also stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has an interest in prolonging the war since a resolution to the crisis may spell the end of his government.
They feel he must preserve the appearance—the narrative—that Israel is still in the midst of a campaign in order to fend off attempts to remove him.
Efforts For Truce
Diplomats from the United States and Europe have submitted a number of proposals in the hopes of reaching an agreement that will calm the conflict.
According to a Lebanese government official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to discuss the discussions, the proposals put up by France would require Hezbollah to remove its soldiers 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the border.
Lebanon is currently analyzing the proposal, and Hezbollah officials have signaled that they are open to discussing it. However, both government and Hezbollah officials have stated that there will be no accord until there is a cease-fire in Gaza.