Israel Pushes for Escalation on Lebanon's Southern Border Amid Hezbollah Confrontation
Plus: Historic Hearings Begin at UN Court on Israel's Occupation, Israel Plans Extended Military Operations in Rafah Amid Humanitarian Concerns, US Vetoes Gaza Cease-fire, Houthis Heighten Assault.
Hello and welcome to Inshallah! I’m here to bring you the top stories from the Middle East every week. Come along on this journey with me to stay informed about the latest news and trends in the region.
Israel Pushes for Escalation on Lebanon's Southern Border Amid Hezbollah Confrontation
Israel has conducted multiple airstrikes within Lebanese territory, resulting in civilian casualties and escalating tensions along the southern Lebanese front amid ongoing conflict with Hezbollah.
Specifically, on February 14, a series of Israeli attacks in Nabatieh resulted in the deaths of at least seven members of a single family, including a child, as well as three Hezbollah members. In a separate incident, a woman and her two children were killed in the village of Souaneh in southern Lebanon due to another Israeli attack.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for firing numerous rockets at a northern Israeli town in retaliation for airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of ten civilians and three Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon.
Israel further expanded its targets in Lebanon on February 19, striking locations further from the border, in the town of Ghazieh. This escalation follows previous attacks within a 12km range of the border, except for the assassination of a Hamas deputy in a Beirut suburb in January.
Cross-border clashes since October have led to casualties on both sides, with at least 271 people killed in Lebanon, including Hezbollah fighters and civilians, and 16 casualties on the Israeli side, according to reports.
Why it matters
Until February, Israel limited its attacks to targets within a 12km radius of the border, except for the assassination of Hamas deputy Saleh Al Arouri in a Beirut suburb in January. However, this month, the conflict has intensified, with Israel striking deeper into Lebanon while Hezbollah continues to exert pressure on Israeli forces from the north in support of Hamas.
Historic Hearings Begin at UN Court on Israel's Occupation
The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the highest court of the United Nations, began historic hearings on Monday regarding the legality of Israel's 57-year occupation of lands claimed by Palestinians for a future state.
The hearings will see participation from a record number of countries, coinciding with Israel's ongoing military operation in Gaza.
Palestinian representatives accuse Israel of violating international law through the annexation of occupied territories, hindering their right to self-determination, and implementing a system of racial discrimination similar to apartheid in existed in South Africa.
While Israel will not actively present its arguments during the hearings, a written statement is possible. Experts predict that Israel will likely justify the occupation based on security concerns, particularly in the absence of a peace agreement. The October 7 attack by Hamas militants, which resulted in hundreds of Israeli casualties and hostage-taking, is likely to be cited. However, Palestinians and human rights organizations argue that the occupation far exceeds defensive measures, constituting an apartheid system through settlements on occupied lands.
They allege it establishes a two-tiered society granting Palestinians inferior status and aims to maintain Jewish dominance across the region. Israel categorically denies accusations of apartheid.
Why it matters
This marks a significant development in the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, drawing renewed attention from the international community.
The court's decision, expected within several months, is non-binding but carries significant potential to impact international legal interpretations, international aid towards Israel, and global public opinion.
Israel Plans Extended Military Operations in Rafah Amid Humanitarian Concerns
Israel is planning to continue its large-scale military operations in Gaza for another six to eight weeks, with intentions to launch a ground invasion of Rafah, the enclave's southernmost city.
Military leaders believe this extended operation can significantly degrade Hamas' remaining capabilities, paving the way for a transition to a phase of lower-intensity airstrikes and special forces operations.
Amidst these developments, concerns are growing among global leaders about the potential for a humanitarian crisis.
Over a million Palestinian civilians find themselves trapped between the conflict's two sides, squeezed into the city on the Egyptian border. They have fled Israeli attacks that have devastated much of the enclave, leaving them with no safe haven.
In recent diplomatic tensions, U.S. President Joe Biden personally contacted the Israeli leader twice, emphasizing the importance of avoiding a military operation in Rafah without a credible plan to safeguard civilian lives. Despite this, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to allow civilians to evacuate the area before any offensive while also insisting on a commitment to "complete victory."
Why it matters
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with significant portions of the region reduced to rubble. Conflict persists in Khan Younis, and sporadic clashes continue in northern areas that were thought to be cleared.
The aftermath has left more than 85% of Gaza's 2.3 million residents homeless, with many seeking refuge in Rafah, which previously had a population of around 300,000.
Egypt has sealed its border with Gaza, expressing opposition to the displacement of Palestinians and framing it within a broader Arab rejection of events like the "Nakba" of 1948. Despite official denials, sources within Egypt report preparations along the border to accommodate potential Palestinian refugees should an Israeli offensive prompt an exodus, citing sensitivity on the matter.
US Vetoes Gaza Cease-fire
The U.S. vetoed an Arab-led UN resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, citing potential interference with negotiations to release hostages in Israel. The Security Council vote was 13-1, with the UK abstaining.
Why it matters
This marks the third U.S. veto of a Gaza cease-fire resolution. The U.S. proposed an alternative resolution linked to the release of hostages. It's uncertain when or if this draft will be voted on as the U.S. seeks support.
The U.S. resolution avoids the term "cease-fire," opting for a temporary cessation until hostages are released. Any resolution requires at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from key members. The U.S. draft faces a potential veto from Russia in its current form, according to diplomatic sources.
Houthis Heighten Assaults, Targeting UK Vessel and US Warship
Yemen's Houthis this week claimed responsibility for attacking a UK-owned cargo ship and launching a drone assault on an American destroyer. They also targeted Israel's port city of Eilat with ballistic missiles and drones.
The announcement on social media followed a statement by the group's leader, indicating an escalation in attacks on ships, including with new "submarine weapons," in response to Israeli military actions in Gaza.
The Houthis communicated these bans through notices from their Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center to shipping insurers and firms, aiming to ensure ship safety by coercing cooperation. Ships linked to Israel, the U.S., and the UK or sailing under their flags are prohibited from the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea, as stated in Thursday's notices.
The Houthi leader stated that retaliatory strikes by the U.S.-British coalition have not halted their campaign. Earlier, two missiles caused a fire on a UK-owned ship southeast of Aden, Yemen. However, the crew and vessel are reported safe and continuing to the next port of call. The ship, named the Islander, was traveling from Thailand to Egypt.
In response to imminent threats, the U.S. military's Central Command reported shooting down six Houthi drones in the Red Sea. Despite these attacks, no ships have sunk, nor have there been casualties among crews. Concerns remain about the fate of the UK-registered Rubymar cargo vessel, which was struck on February 18, although a U.S. defense official stated it is still afloat.
Why it matters
These attacks disrupt the Suez Canal trade route, responsible for 12% of global maritime traffic, compelling companies to take longer and costlier routes around Africa.
That’s a wrap for this week! Thank you for joining Inshallah! Don’t forget to share and subscribe.
About me
My name is Dario Sabaghi, and I am a freelance journalist interested in international news focusing on the MENA region.
Check out my work at dariosabaghi.com.
You can follow me on Twitter: @DarioSabaghi
Errors and editing mistakes may occasionally occur. I appreciate your feedback and take all complaints seriously. Please get in touch with me on Twitter to report any issues, and I will do my best to rectify them promptly.
Cover photo | Reuters