Ground invasion stalled Israel escalates destruction campaign in Lebanon
Ground invasion stalled: Israel escalates destruction campaign in Lebanon
MADRID - Israel has chosen to destroy Lebanon's infrastructure in an attempt to achieve its objectives, having failed to make significant progress in its ground invasion. On the night of Sunday, October 21, Israeli fighter jets carried out multiple attacks in the southern part of the country, with a total of 13 airstrikes affecting villages, towns, and neighborhoods in Beirut, according to Al Jazeera.
Following the doctrine applied in Gaza, Israel is preparing the ground for bombing the al-Sahel hospital in Dahyeh, baselessly claiming that Hezbollah is hiding money in a bunker beneath the facility. While in Gaza Israel operates with impunity, backed by the unwavering support of the U.S. and its Western allies, in Lebanon it finds itself compelled to create justifications in this early stage of the conflict.
Several Lebanese experts, including political scientist Amal Saad, warn that an attack on this hospital could intensify Hezbollah's response, which declared a "new phase of escalation" last week. Furthermore, it is evident that the destruction of infrastructure in Lebanon highlights Israel's lack of a military strategy after three weeks of failed attempts to invade the southern part of the country.
One of the most significant aspects of this offensive is the destruction of the social institution Qard al-Hassan, described as "Hezbollah's bank" by Avichay Adraee, the Israeli army's Arabic spokesman. He indicated that "there are hundreds of Qard al-Hassan branches throughout Lebanon, many of which are located in residential buildings and apartments." Israel's goal is clear: to dismantle Lebanon's financial infrastructures and destabilize its economy.
Qard al-Hassan operates 31 branches across the country under the official license of the Lebanese Ministry of Interior. Its work focuses on Islamic banking, providing interest-free loans to the most vulnerable sectors of the population. One of its most notable services has been offering loans to families affected by the energy crisis in Lebanon. The institution has stated that its funds come from donations and benefactors, and it grants loans without discrimination, regardless of religion, sect, or political affiliation.
Although Iran helped establish Qard al-Hassan in the 1980s, today it is a fully self-funded organization, primarily supported by the Shiite community in Lebanon. Since the country's economic collapse in 2019 and the bankruptcy of its banking system, Qard al-Hassan has become a vital resource for thousands, providing assistance for everything from school tuition payments to financing small businesses and solar panel installations. The NGO serves all communities: in the Santa Teresa branch near Hadath, between 30% and 40% of the clients are Christians, while in Sidon, most are not Shiite.
Despite Qard al-Hassan's claims of safeguarding people's deposits and savings since the war began, Israel's actions are part of a strategy aimed at further impoverishing Lebanon's already vulnerable and largely displaced Shiite community, as approximately 85% of depositors and borrowers belong to this group.
Amal Saad points out that this collective punishment entails not only a physical eradication but also a socioeconomic one, aimed at annihilating, uprooting, and impoverishing Hezbollah's support base. This situation exacerbates the crisis facing the country and raises serious concerns about the future of the Shiite community in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah has announced its entry into a new phase of confrontation with the Israeli regime. Several analysts predict that in this stage, Hezbollah could reveal new weapons and expand its list of strategic targets. This transition to a more intense phase continues from the previous one, during which Sheikh Naeem Qassem, the deputy secretary-general of Hezbollah, stated on October 15 that the movement is in a phase intended to "make the enemy feel pain."
In this new operational phase, Hezbollah may employ missiles that have not been used previously. These attacks could target sensitive locations and strategic objectives of the Israeli regime through surprise operations, including maritime actions. The group is expected to utilize land-to-sea, ballistic, and short-range anti-aircraft missiles, adopting "guerrilla warfare" tactics. This would involve drawing the enemy deeper into Lebanese territory to conduct precise ambushes, aiming to inflict the highest number of casualties possible and generate "growing pain" through intensified control of the battlefield.
Moreover, there is a possibility that new settlements will be added to the target list, and attacks could even reach the heart of Tel Aviv. This strategy represents a significant shift in the dynamics of the conflict.
Recently, Hezbollah attacked Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv with five drones. The Israelis claimed to have intercepted the aerial vehicles, although the airport temporarily suspended its operations. The main concern for Tel Aviv's leaders lies in the attack on economic infrastructure, as the paralysis of economic activities and the closure of factories could impose substantial costs on the Israeli regime.
Hezbollah has expanded the range of its attacks in the occupied territories and continues to inflict significant losses on Israeli occupying forces. The ineffectiveness of Israeli air defense systems against Hezbollah's missiles has heightened fear and anxiety among settlers. Furthermore, media reports and Israeli officials have acknowledged that Hezbollah possesses significant capabilities that, in a prolonged conflict, could render the occupied territories increasingly unsafe.
While the ground invasion remains paralyzed due to the resistance's efforts, Israel continues its program of destruction, implementing the plan previously deployed in Gaza. This includes the demolition of hospitals and financial institutions, with the aim of not only consolidating territorial occupation but also weakening the local population to prevent them from resisting colonization.
source: tehrantimes.com