Despite the commitment of Palestinian resistance factions in Gaza and Lebanon to ceasefire agreements, Israeli violations persist through airstrikes targeting various locations in the Gaza Strip, as well as the eastern and central sectors of southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.
Analysts suggest that the Israeli escalation aims to exert pressure to achieve objectives that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to accomplish through war, particularly the extensive military operations carried out in Gaza over the past two years. The analysts spoke during a recent episode of DZWatch’s ‘Beyond the Headlines’ program.
With Israel’s continued breaches of the ceasefire and the perceived inaction of the U.S. administration to deter them, Palestinian resistance groups in Gaza and Lebanon face a challenging situation. According to a senior source within Hamas, the movement has conveyed its frustration to mediators regarding the ongoing Israeli aggression, despite their adherence to the agreement.
Hamas has urged mediators to intervene immediately and compel Israel to abide by the Gaza ceasefire agreement to prevent its collapse, which the movement believes Israel desires.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese leadership, through Army Commander General Rudolph Haikal, has reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to the cessation of hostilities agreement and UN Resolution 1701.
Dr. Liqa Makki, a senior researcher at the DZWatch Center for Studies, argues that Israel will continue its attacks on Gaza and Lebanon as long as there is no American objection. He recalled previous statements by former U.S. Envoy to Syria, Tom Braak, indicating that Israel would be given a free hand if Hezbollah was not disarmed. Makki also believes that the U.S. administration is pleased with Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Dr. Ibrahim Freihat, a professor of international conflict at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, posits that the Israeli escalation aims to dismantle the resistance entirely, both in Gaza and Lebanon, potentially with the tacit approval of the U.S. administration.
