Warring. Worrying Bibi

Netanyahu now setting his sights on Hezbollah is bad for West Asia. He has severely hurt Brand Israel

Netanyahu continues to play with Israeli lives. After announcing the “intense phase” of the Israeli operation in Gaza is winding down, he now looks set to send more troops to the Lebanon border to fight Hezbollah. This, potentially, can be an unmitigated disaster. It won’t help Israel’s security. It may directly drag Iran into the conflict and lead to a wider conflagration. But Netanyahu now seems to want perpetual conflict to stay in power.

Hezbollah not Hamas | This Lebanon-based Shia militia group is far superior to Hamas in military strength. Its range of shortrange rockets and missiles can pose problems for Israeli defences. In fact, since the Gaza conflict began on Oct 7 last year, Hezbollah’s strikes into northern Israel have forced tens of thousands of Israelis to evacuate towns along that border. The last time the two sides had a full-scale war in 2006, there were heavy casualties on both sides and Israel failed to destroy Hezbollah’s military capabilities. Hezbollah is far stronger today.

Netanyahu’s cussedness | Hezbollah says it will stop firing into Israel once there’s a ceasefire in Gaza. But Netanyahu continues to assert that the war in Gaza won’t end until Hamas is eliminated. However, Israel’s military has said Hamas as an ideology can’t be defeated. Meanwhile, families of Israeli hostages in Gaza want a hostage deal. And US certainly doesn’t want an Israel-Hezbollah war. But Netanyahu isn’t listening.

Image bruised & battered | Long known as the only genuine democracy in West Asia and a tech powerhouse, Israel’s reputation today lies in tatters. Netanyahu’s actions have jeopardised Israel’s fledgling relations with regional Arab nations, undermined its economy, and turned Israelis against their own govt. His determination to hold on to power has given Israel its worst PR moment. But King Bibi still thinks he can get away with it all.