Will Israel defy Washington and target Hezbollah?

Christadelphians

Politico, December 8, 2023

Event

The message coming from Israel’s leaders remains unwavering and uncompromising. Come what may, they’re determined to smash Hamas for good, so it can never again carry out a pogrom like it did on October 7. U.S. officials have worked tirelessly to try and ensure the war in Gaza doesn’t spill over to Lebanon, broadening a conflict that would guarantee inflaming the whole region. To that end, Washington dispatched two aircraft carrier groups to the eastern Mediterranean to deter Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah from attacking Israel. And Biden publicly warned outside actors — taken to mean Iran and Hezbollah — not to get involved. But that could be about to change — and not because Hezbollah might initiate a full-scale confrontation but because Israel might decide to do so, seizing the moment to secure its northern border and ensure a pogrom can’t be visited on communities there.

Comment

There are daily attacks between Israel and Hezbollah since the Hamas massacre on 7th October. But these attacks are small skirmishes in relation to what could happen between the two sides. Hezbollah has around 150,000 rockets and accurate missiles aimed at Israel. If war broke out between them a huge amount destruction would be caused. The article in Politico this week explains why Israel might actually take the fight to Hezbollah. Some 80,000 Israeli residents have been evacuated along the border with Lebanon and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said this week that they would not return until Hezbollah was driven back beyond the Litani river. Israel does not want another October 7th in the north. Psalm 83 says that Hezbollah (the inhabitants of Tyre – coastal city in Lebanon) are part of the inner ring war round Israel at the time of the end.

Bible quote

The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;  Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;  Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.  Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:  Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth. (Psalm 83:6-10)

Weekly World Watch, Andy Walton

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