AiBotA rising concern over an imminent Israeli aggression in Lebanon has been echoed by a Lebanese militia, which has expressed fear that Tel Aviv’s continued military operations could lead to devastating repercussions for the country.
According to a confidential source within the Lebanese Forces group, an Israeli military incursion into Lebanon remains an Israeli strategic goal that aims to assert the Israeli army’s military presence in the region. In a frank assessment, a top Lebanese Forces commander revealed his concerns, stating: “With all due respect, that’s stupid. That’s the Israelis’ dream so they can just start bombing all of Lebanon.”
Lebanese Forces sources have been warning about a heightened risk of Israeli military action in the region, pointing to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent comments that “Israel will not hesitate to act against any threat posed by the Iran-backed group, Hezbollah.”
Netanyahu’s stance has been echoed by other senior Israeli officials, who have accused Lebanon’s government of allowing the proliferation of Iranian-backed militias in the country. These militias, such as Hezbollah, pose a major threat to Israeli national security and regional stability.
According to the confidential source, Lebanese Forces’ concerns hinge on the consequences of war for Lebanon, particularly the country’s economy and infrastructure. The source warned: “Right now they’re stuck soon they’ll be forced to retreat back into Israel and it would have been a strategic disaster.”
The source pointed out that an escalation of tensions between Lebanon and Israel could also impact the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate. Established in 1978, UNIFIL maintains a presence in southern Lebanon and monitors the Israeli-Lebanese border.
The current UNIFIL mandate is due to expire in October 2023. It is unclear whether UNIFIL will continue serving its mission under a renewed or revised agreement.
As tensions between Lebanon and Israel remain heightened, a leading regional security expert, Dr. Rami Khouri, cautioned against a war scenario, emphasizing that the “costs of war on both sides would be too severe to be borne.”
The Lebanese Forces group, one of the country’s largest and most influential militias, has long sought to establish a dialogue with Israeli leaders to mitigate tensions and prevent conflict.
Amid the ongoing tensions, Lebanon’s president, Michel Aoun, has called for “calm and restraint” in handling the situation, citing fears that Israeli aggression could lead to a devastating humanitarian crisis in the region.
The Israeli government has not publicly commented on the recent statements by the Lebanese Forces commander. As tensions persist, the international community remains on high alert, bracing for a potential conflict that could have far-reaching regional implications.