What’s happening:
Hezbollah has engaged in a series of attacks against Israel, aligning with Iran’s strategy to unify various militant groups against the Jewish state. This move is part of a larger Iranian effort to challenge Israel through a coalition of forces, including Hamas, the Houthis, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and groups in Syria and Iraq.
Why it matters:
Hezbollah, as Iran’s strongest proxy, boasts a significant arsenal that includes up to 150,000 rockets and missiles, drones, and anti-tank missiles. Their recent attacks, particularly with the heavy “Burkan” missile, demonstrate a commitment to a potentially more intense second phase of conflict, should hostilities resume.
The big picture:
Iran’s coordination of proxy attacks serves multiple purposes: demonstrating the unity of resistance groups, exerting political influence across Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria, and fostering Sunni-Shi’ite cooperation in the region. This strategy also aims to establish a new “equation” that complicates any return to fighting in Gaza for Israel.
What Hezbollah has achieved:
Hezbollah’s swift response to the conflict, likely directed by Iran, has not only supported Palestinian fighters but also caused the evacuation of Israeli communities and increased the group’s political popularity in Lebanon. Iran’s media highlights this as a step towards greater unity among resistance groups and a means to bolster Iran’s regional influence.
Between the lines:
Iran’s narrative emphasizes the cooperation between Sunni and Shi’ite organizations, countering decades of sectarian strife and presenting a unified Muslim front against Israel. This narrative serves to heal regional divisions and strengthen the resistance’s resolve.
Be smart:
Hezbollah’s involvement in the conflict is a calculated move to enhance Iran’s strategic position and challenge Israel’s security on multiple fronts. The group’s readiness for further conflict and the potential for escalation underscore the complex dynamics at play in the Middle East.
This story was first published on jpost.