Three months into the conflict in Gaza, Palestine, involving Israel and its allies, Israel and its arch backer the United States are in efforts to escalate the tension in the region. Separate attacks and massacres by both America and Israel in Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria further demonstrate their efforts to escalate tensions. On New Year's Day, the Hamas office in Dahiyeb, a southern suburb of Beirut, was targeted, resulting in seven casualties, including the founding commander of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas armed wing. Last Thursday, Israel launched an attack on Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, resulting in several casualties. This attack followed a warning from the Hezbollah chief that they would not sit quietly without retaliation for the killing of Hamas leaders. Additionally, on the fourth anniversary of the death of Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani in Kerman, Iran, 84 people, including six children, were killed in a double explosion near his grave. ISIS claimed responsibility two days later, but Iran and Hezbollah believe that the American-Israeli alliance is responsible for the largest massacre in Iran since 1979. Tehran has declared its intention to seek international channels to identify the perpetrators and those behind the attack.
Israel is justifying its actions even as it washes its hands off in the killing of Hamas leaders in Beirut. It was their first heavy attack, intruding into Beirut after the 34-day war in 2006. The 2006 ceasefire was agreed to with UN intervention, which mandated the withdrawal of Hezbollah forces from southern Lebanon and Israel's retreat behind the unofficial border, the 'Blue Line'. The United States itself sees Israel's actions as a violation of UN Resolution 1701. This led America to send President Biden's chief advisor, Amos Hochstein to Israel, with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken following him. The U.S. administration, facing fierce opposition at home, is concerned that Israel is deviating from American alignment, even as it actively supports its attacks with arms and funding.
Tel Aviv and Washington perceive Iran and Hezbollah as external forces that, while relatively weak in the Gaza war, are causing trouble through counter-attacks. With their support, Yemen's Houthis, despite being isolated by sea, are prepared for heavy attacks. Therefore, the US-Israel war front aims to address those supporting Hamas in the Palestinian conflict. Saleh al-Aruri was seen by Israel and the US as their bete noir as he served as the link between the militant factions of Palestine and Tehran's 'axis of resistance,' which includes Hezbollah and the Houthis, Both countries are targeting the Hamas leadership, and both believe Lebanon is the appropriate battleground. A senior Iraqi militia leader with ties to Iran was killed by US forces in an airstrike in Baghdad on Thursday. The targeting of Iran in such incidents leads Tehran to suspect the involvement of Israel and the US behind the Kerman attack.
The Zionist government's attempt to escalate the conflict comes at a time when sentiment against Prime Minister Netanyahu's bellicosity is growing stronger within Israel. There is a widespread accusation in Israel that Netanyahu and the war-mongering group are punishing those who were expecting a second ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages by expanding the war. Reckless attacks in Lebanon would open another war front. Assessing Beirut and Tehran's responses to the Israeli attacks, the possibility cannot be ruled out. Does Israel have the ability to open multiple war fronts simultaneously? American experts have pointed out that it is unwise to deploy the army, which has had to retreat in the face of Hamas's resistance in the ground attack, to fight Hezbollah, which had defeated them before. However, the war-hungry camp, driven by ethnic hostility, is not willing to consider any of that. The world is destined to face more terror if their recklessness is not addressed when they are desperate to extend their occupation by displacing Palestinians and asserting control over Gaza and the West Bank.