Israel juggles Iran, Lebanon fronts while awaiting Pakistan-mediated talks

Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian 

While awaiting talks in Islamabad between the United States and Iran, and the outcomes that may result, Israel is keeping its air force on high alert toward both Iran and Hezbollah, insisting on keeping the two fronts separate.

On the Lebanon front, the Israeli military considers its operations time-consuming. They include attacks targeting Hezbollah members, incursions into southern areas, and occupations that largely involve direct confrontations with Hezbollah. 

The military intelligence branch plays a major role, noting that Hezbollah had redeployed personnel to various locations that remained under surveillance until Wednesday’s strike.

Although the army said the attack on Lebanon helped eliminate many threats, including the risk of Hezbollah infiltrating Israel, residents in northern Israel launched a widespread campaign against the government, its prime minister, and the defense minister.

Benjamin Netanyahu, however, appeared unmoved by the northern protests. He considers convincing the U.S. president of the need to continue the war against Hezbollah an achievement and emphasizes that his country’s actions against Iran represent significant successes.

Between continuing field preparations and awaiting developments from the Pakistan-mediated negotiations, Israel’s one certainty so far remains the continuation of its operations in Lebanon.