Hezbollah Lob Rockets into Israel.

Since the Hamas-Israel war kicked off on October 7, Israel has also been exchanging fire with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel retaliated for the Hamas attack killing 1,300 Israelis. Also, of kidnapped Israeli citizens, many of whom have been killed (by either side) or rescued, while some are still held prisoner in Gaza. Israel has bombed the hell out of Gaza. Killing Hamas fighters yes, though Hamas remains a potent force after 7 months of fighting. Thousands of dead Gazan civilians lie under the rubble of bombed towns, schools, churches, mosques, hospitals, etc. On top of that, thousands of Gazans are dead or injured above the rubble. Israel has also lost soldiers in combat and many more wounded.

At the moment, Netanyahu and His ministers are considering the response of Hamas to yet another ceasefire brokered by the US. Whether anything will come of this, remains to be seen. If it's like previous ceasefire plans, sadly, it will go the way of other proposals. On the other hand, Netanyahu may want to scale down his actions in Gaza. There has been evidence of this in statements coming out of Israel. And, there is probably a reason why Netanyahu wants to scale back or accept a ceasefire with Hamas. The situation in the north of Israel and the south of Lebanon is hotting up. Israel as mentioned has been trading fire with Hezbollah over the months of the Hamas- Israel conflict. However, Hassan Nasrallah Leader of Hezbollah, has said if Israel starts an invasion or a massive attack on Lebanon, Hezbollah will respond in kind. Nasrallah has stated Hezbollah will not hold back in its confrontation with Israel. Similar statements have been made by the Israeli government. So, the situation is dangerous.

Recently, Israel killed a top Commander of Hezbollah. Hezbollah retaliated by firing 200 rockets and drones aimed at IDF bases. The Israeli ambulance service has said there have been no casualties. Whether this statement is true or not one cannot know. It may be true or it may be a ruse to to make Hezbollah think their attack was ineffective. Both sides will play down the destruction wrought by the other side, for the reason mentioned above.

There have been rumours that the Israeli government has passed a resolution to invade southern Lebanon. It has always been Israel's stated goal to drive Hezbollah beyond the Litani River. Thus giving some respite to northern Israel where many Hezbollah attacks are concentrated.

Thousands of Israelis have moved south to escape the Hezbollah onslaught. Likewise, thousands of Lebanese have moved north to escape the fire of the IDF forces.

Meanwhile, the US and others are scrambling to find a solution to the problem. Netanyahu knows that if the war with Gaza ends, he will face trials for corruption and possible imprisonment. That surely would be the end of His political career.

So, are we to take it then that Bibi Netanyahu is okay with ramping up conflict with Hezbollah to save His political skin? The cost in Israeli lives and Lebanese lives? It seems Hassan Nasrallah of Hezbollah has no scruples about enlarging war with Israel either. Are Netanyahu and Nasrallah so locked into this conflict and the threats about bombing each other back to the Stone Age, that there is no climbing down? Like two school bullies or silverback gorillas, so drunk on their masculinity, they are prepared to sacrifice Israelis and Lebanese on the altar of their vanity?

This conflict, like the Russia-Ukraine war, has always threatened to become a wider conflagration. Peace in the Middle East or Western Asia as some like to call it, is a much-vaunted word. Putting it into practice, however, is the difficult bit.

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