Rogue state: Regarding Israel's war against Hezbollah

Israel is opting for escalation over compromise and war over peace.

The pagers blew up first. The walkie-talkies followed. Subsequently, Israel initiated an extensive bombardment campaign directed at Hezbollah, the potent Shia militant organization in Lebanon conflict supported by Iran. The explosions of the pager and walkie-talkie seem to have been part of Israel's planned strategy to destabilize Hezbollah in their slow-moving war that began on October 7, 2023. Following Hamas's assault on Israel a year prior, Hezbollah started launching rockets into Israel "in solidarity with the Palestinians" when Israel began its invasion of Gaza. Despite exchanging gunfire, both sides were cautious to prevent the tensions from escalating into a full-scale Israel conflict. However, on July 31, Israel assassinated top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in an airstrike on Beirut, disregarding that advice.

Hezbollah fired hundreds of missiles into Israel as a result of Israel's widespread airstrikes, particularly in southern Lebanon conflict, which is a stronghold for the militant organization. Approximately 70,000 Israelis have lost their houses as a result of the northern conflict. One of the goals of the current Israel conflict, according to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is to allow the displaced people to make their way back to their homes located in the northern Upper Galilee region. Then came the airstrikes that followed the bursts of pagers.

In just two days, Israeli airstrikes claimed the lives of at least 575 individuals, including women and children, according to Lebanese authorities. Hezbollah responded by firing several missiles, including an intercontinental ballistic missile that was aimed towards Tel Aviv on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. The conflict is currently spiraling out of control, and it remains to be seen if Israel will invade the ground. Rather, Mr. Netanyahu has opted to intensify the conflict with Hezbollah, resulting in the deaths of hundreds more people and bringing West Asia closer to full-scale conflict. His forces have already murdered more than 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza in just 11 months. The characteristics of a rogue state are evident in this bellicosity, callousness, and complete disdain for international law and standards.