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US May Seek to Draw Hezbollah Into Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

© AP Photo / Aziz TaherA supporter of Lebanon's Hezbollah gestures as he holds a Hezbollah flag in Marjayoun, Lebanon May 7, 2018
A supporter of Lebanon's Hezbollah gestures as he holds a Hezbollah flag in Marjayoun, Lebanon May 7, 2018 - Sputnik International, 1920, 23.10.2023
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On October 7, Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip region launched a brazen attack against Israeli territories, killing and capturing scores of Israeli civilians and military personnel, and prompting an Israeli military retaliation against the entire Palestinian enclave.
Tensions on the Israeli-Lebanese border remain high, as Hezbollah is threatening repercussions against Israel if the Tel Aviv proceeds with its announced ground operation in the Gaza Strip.
While Israeli forces continue to pound the enclave with airstrikes and artillery, the Lebanese-based Hezbollah movement threatened to join the conflict if Israeli ground troops were to be sent into Gaza.
Russian military intelligence veteran and military analyst Rustem Klupov, however, argues that whether or not Hezbollah enters the fray largely depends on Iran.
While Tehran has never confirmed that the Islamic Republic sponsors the organization, it noted that Iran and Hezbollah are coordinating their activities.
Курсанты иранской армии маршируют во время ежегодного военного парада, Тегеран - Sputnik International, 1920, 19.10.2023
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According to Klupov, while Hezbollah is unlikely to invade and control portions of Israeli territory, it is more than capable of harassing Israel's forces, and the rockets and missiles that Hezbollah have, are capable of striking targets practically anywhere in Israel.
“Because Hezbollah is not the kind of force that could, without Iran’s assistance, occupy even a portion of some Israeli territory,” he said, adding that Hezbollah probably “could go in, like Hamas did,” but likely would be unable to hold these territories.
He pointed out that Hezbollah militants are a force to be reckoned with, as many of them gained valuable combat experience while fighting in the Syrian conflict.
That being said, Klupov claimed, Hezbollah may be reluctant to “open a second front” in the Israel’s northern regions because it would evoke retaliation not just from Israel but from the United States who “badly needs a short victorious war” and has a sizeable military contingent in the region to boot.
He also suggested that some third party, such as the United States, may stage a provocation that would trigger a conflict involving Hezbollah.
Israeli soldiers take a defensive position in Kibbutz Beeri along the border with the Gaza Strip, in the aftermath of a Palestinian militant attack on October 7. File photo - Sputnik International, 1920, 23.10.2023
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“It may be portrayed as an attack by Hezbollah against Israel or some Christian settlements or something,” Klupov speculated. “It would be very beneficial for the Americans. The Americans are quite willing, they are interested in this region. They are quite interested in maintaining their presence in the region, their military-political and economic presence in the Middle East.”
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