Lebanon airstrikes/ Israeli strikes in Lebanon/ Gaza tactics in Lebanon/ Lebanon war fears/ Newslooks/ LEBANON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ As Israel ramps up airstrikes in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, many fear a repeat of the devastating tactics used in Gaza. Israel has warned Lebanese civilians to evacuate, heightening concerns of mass displacement. Though Israel’s goal in Lebanon is more limited, focusing on pushing Hezbollah away from the border, the fear of overwhelming destruction persists. With thousands fleeing south Lebanon, the situation remains tense.
Lebanon Fears Gaza-Like Carnage Amid Israeli Strikes: Quick Looks
- Escalating airstrikes: Israel has intensified airstrikes in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah forces and weapons sites.
- Mass displacement: Thousands of Lebanese have fled to safer areas or across the border as strikes increase.
- Fears of Gaza repeat: Evacuation warnings and strikes have raised concerns that Israel will follow similar tactics to its Gaza campaign.
- International concern: U.N. Secretary General warns against Lebanon becoming another Gaza as the situation worsens.
Lebanon Fears Gaza Scenario as Israel Intensifies Strikes on Hezbollah
Deep Look
In the midst of escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, the people of Lebanon are gripped by growing fears that the relentless bombing campaigns seen in Gaza over the past year could soon be replicated in their own country. Recent Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah’s military capabilities have left hundreds dead, and thousands of civilians displaced, as the situation threatens to spiral into a full-scale war.
For many in Lebanon, the parallels to Gaza are alarming. The Israeli military has issued evacuation orders to residents of southern Lebanon, advising them to move to safer areas, a tactic that has drawn unsettling comparisons to the Gaza evacuation warnings that have often been followed by devastating airstrikes. Aline Naser, a 26-year-old Beirut resident, expressed her fear: “We don’t really know where exactly is safe,” she said, as the evacuation alerts reminded her of Gaza’s besieged civilians.
Israel’s Campaign Against Hezbollah
Israel has significantly escalated its strikes against Hezbollah, its long-standing foe in Lebanon. The campaign’s stated objective is to push Hezbollah away from Israel’s northern border, allowing tens of thousands of displaced Israelis to return to their homes. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stopped short of declaring a ground invasion, the possibility remains on the table as Israeli forces continue to mobilize along the border.
In stark contrast to Gaza, where Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas’ political and military infrastructure, the goals in Lebanon appear to be more focused. An Israeli security official, speaking anonymously, said the objective is not to completely dismantle Hezbollah, but to push it back far enough to reduce the threat to northern Israel. Nonetheless, Hezbollah’s rocket attacks have only intensified, wounding civilians in Israel and prompting even more aggressive Israeli retaliation.
Devastation in Lebanon
The Lebanese death toll is climbing rapidly. On Monday, Israeli airstrikes killed 492 people and wounded over 1,600, marking one of the deadliest days in Lebanon since the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. The displacement crisis is also worsening, with thousands of Lebanese fleeing to neighboring Syria or seeking refuge in safer areas within Lebanon.
Lebanese citizens are no strangers to war, but the scale of the Israeli bombardments this week has shaken the country. Jana Bsat, a 25-year-old media worker in Beirut, voiced the frustration and fear shared by many, saying she has packed a bag in preparation for an evacuation. “It feels surreal,” Bsat said, recalling how just days ago the conflict seemed like a distant threat. Now, she and many others are living with the constant fear of impending disaster.
Lebanon’s Complex Dynamics
Despite these fears, there are important distinctions between the situation in Lebanon and the crisis in Gaza. Hezbollah, unlike Hamas in Gaza, is deeply embedded within Lebanon’s political system. It maintains seats in Lebanon’s parliament and wields considerable influence, particularly among the country’s Shiite population. While Israel’s strikes have targeted Hezbollah’s military capabilities, many civilians have also been caught in the crossfire.
Lebanon’s diverse religious and political landscape also complicates the conflict. Many Christian and Sunni-majority areas of the country oppose Hezbollah and the influence of Iran, which backs the militant group. Ali Safa, a 30-year-old interior designer who fled southern Lebanon, argued that Lebanon’s situation is far different from Gaza’s: “Lebanon is much larger, it is not encircled, and it has Hezbollah, which is a much bigger force, much better-equipped than Hamas,” he explained.
Fear of Escalation
As the airstrikes continue, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged the international community to prevent Lebanon from becoming another Gaza. The consequences of a full-scale war, given Lebanon’s fragile state, would be devastating for a country already in the throes of a prolonged economic meltdown. Lebanon’s economy has been in freefall since 2019, leaving the country ill-prepared to cope with the destruction of war.
The psychological toll of the conflict is already evident. Israeli fighter jets have been flying over Lebanon for months, launching sonic booms that rattle buildings and strike fear into residents. Israeli drones, ever-present in the skies, only heighten the sense of dread.
What’s Next?
As Hezbollah continues to fire rockets into Israel and Israeli airstrikes target Hezbollah positions, the potential for an all-out war looms large. Israel’s military has already indicated it is preparing for a ground operation in southern Lebanon, although it remains unclear if and when such a move will take place.
For many Lebanese, the future is uncertain. Some have begun preparing for the worst, packing bags and making evacuation plans, while others hope that diplomacy can prevent the conflict from escalating further. “I’ve come to terms with reality, but my hands still can’t stop shaking,” Bsat said, capturing the anxiety that is spreading across the country.
