The future of the militia group Hezbollah came under scrutiny on Monday as Lebanon’s prime minister revealed that he had not been in contact with them for weeks. The head of the Arab League also commented that the “idea” of Hezbollah could not be destroyed.
Recent Israeli attacks have targeted Iran-backed Hezbollah in an attempt to weaken them, similar to the campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Israel initially focused on rooting out Hamas following a terrorist attack in southern Israel last October, before turning attention to Hezbollah, which has posed a threat to northern Israel with its rockets for years.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz announced that the country’s armed forces had conducted a major offensive on Monday targeting Hezbollah’s financial assets, leaving Beirut in flames. Over 15 buildings were struck in the attack, with Katz sharing a photo of a large fireball over the capital of Lebanon.
The Israeli military stated that the airstrikes on Monday targeted branches of al-Qard al-Hasan, an association that allegedly manages funds used for Hezbollah activities, including weapons purchases and payments to members of its military wing.
The renewed assault by Israel has raised questions about the current state of Hezbollah, with Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, revealing that he has had no contact with Hezbollah representatives for weeks, despite the group holding positions in the Lebanese government.
Mikati’s statement suggests that Hezbollah leaders are being cautious and limiting communication with others as Israel escalates military operations in Lebanon. There are speculations that Hezbollah leaders are frequently changing locations following the killing of their leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Hezbollah is not only focused on military goals but also plays a significant role in Lebanese society by providing services such as schools and hospitals.
The southern suburbs of Beirut were once again targeted by Israeli airstrikes, resulting in casualties, according to Lebanese state news agency NNA.
The secretary-general of the Arab League emphasized that an immediate ceasefire was necessary and that the destruction of an idea like Hezbollah is not possible. Despite the attacks, Hezbollah demonstrated its fighting capabilities by launching rockets into northern Israel on Monday.
Israel intercepted some of the rockets and later targeted Hezbollah rocket launch pads in Lebanon. The Israeli army also intercepted drones over the Mediterranean, causing disruptions at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv.
In addition to Hezbollah and Hamas, other militias in Iraq and Houthi rebels in Yemen have attempted to strike Israel, while Iran has also targeted its rival with missiles.
The Arab League official criticized the UN Security Council for failing to take action against Israel’s recent attacks on UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military apologized for unintentionally killing three Lebanese soldiers in an airstrike, mistaking them for Hezbollah operatives. The Lebanese army has tried to remain neutral in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.