Escalating Middle East tensions raise multiple questions

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Credit WorldwideInfo

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Sunday’s escalation of hostilities along the Israeli-Lebanese border raises more questions than it provides answers.

Israeli said it launched airstrikes against 40 targets in southern Lebanon to preempt retaliation by Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese Shiite militia, for the July 30 killing in Beirut of the group’s military commander, Fuad Shukr.

Hezbollah confirmed the Israeli assertion, saying it fired some 320 Katyusha rockets and a “large number” of drones at military targets in Israel in an initial response to Mr. Shukr’s killing, raising the spectre of further retaliatory operations.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyah, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and military leaders discuss escalation of hostilities with Hezbollah. Credit: Israel Defense Ministry

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a similar warning, despite insisting that Israel does not want an escalated war. Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Mr. Netanyahu said the preemptive strikes were "not the final word."

He said the strikes were “another step towards changing the situation in the north and safely returning our residents to their homes.”

Israel, like Lebanon, has evacuated tens of thousands of residents along the Lebanese Israel border. Israeli officials had hoped to return the Israelis to their homes by September 1.

As straightforward as all of this may seem, it’s not that simple.