By Genocide Watch
Since October 8, 2023, Israel and Hezbollah have been engaged in constant conflict. Hezbollah has launched regular rocket attacks into northern Israel. Israel has bombed Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon in response. Hezbollah claims its rocket attacks on Israeli towns are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The attacks have driven Israelis from several northern towns.
Hezbollah is a terrorist organization backed by Iran. It shares Iran’s genocidal intent to destroy the nation of Israel. Hezbollah has taken control of major portions of Lebanon, including border areas with Israel.
Israel has sent precision missiles into Lebanon and Syria that have killed several senior Hezbollah leaders. Hezbollah has responded with more rocket attacks on Israel. Israeli leaders are now planning an invasion of Lebanon to stop Hezbollah attacks. Israel may try to establish an Israeli-controlled buffer zone in southern Lebanon. Some Israeli settlers even advocate building settlements in southern Lebanon, which they call "northern Galilee," like Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
Israel refuses to rule out an invasion of Lebanon until Hezbollah ends its attacks in northern Israel. Hezbollah says it will end its attacks against Israel only when there is a permanent cease fire that ends Israel’s war in Gaza. Israel refuses to end the war in Gaza until it totally defeats Hamas and all Israeli hostages are freed.
On June 18, 2024 the IDF approved operational plans for an invasion of Lebanon. This escalation of the conflict would force Israel into a two-front war. It would also violate UNSC Resolution 425 and Resolution 1701, which authorized UNIFIL peacekeepers to monitor the Lebanese border with Israel.
Israeli Defense Minister Gallant, Foreign Minister Katz, and Prime Minister Netanyahu have made statements indicating that the planned invasion is imminent. Genocide Watch warns that a war, once begun, will include many civilian deaths. All wars cause war crimes.
Israeli missile strikes and shelling have cut agricultural output in southern Lebanon. Syrian refugees and Lebanese Christians and Muslims in southern Lebanon are moving further north and abroad. Israel's phosphorus munitions, banned under international law, have burned and poisoned southern Lebanese farmland and orchards.
Israel has concentrated IDF forces on the 2000 UN Blue Line that divides Israel from Lebanon. They are poised to invade Lebanon. Hezbollah has thousands of missiles that could penetrate deep into Israel. If Israel invades Lebanon, a full-scale war would cost thousands of Lebanese and Israeli lives.
The Blue Line established in 2000 by the UN to mark Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon source Wikimedia
Netanyahu has dissolved his unity war cabinet and split with moderate politicians. There are now large demonstrations calling for new elections. Netanyahu rejects elections because of his almost certain defeat. Loss of his office would result in the loss of his prime ministerial immunity from prosecution for corruption.
Israel is internally divided. It is at Stage 6: Polarization. Israel’s planned invasion of Lebanon indicates that Israel is at Stage 7: Preparation for war and the crimes war will inevitably cause.
Genocide Watch Recommends:
Israel and Hamas must accept the US and UN peace plan and conclude the war in Gaza.
The International Criminal Court should charge Hamas leaders for genocide in Israel.
The ICC should prosecute Israeli leaders for the war crime of starvation of Palestinians.
The US should warn Israel that the US will cut off military aid if the IDF invades Lebanon.