Israel’s recent military actions against Hezbollah resulted in a significant weakening of the Lebanese group, according to an analysis by PUC Minas International Relations professor, Danny Zahreddine. However, despite the damage suffered, Hezbollah still maintains a certain deterrent capacity against Israel.
According to Zahreddine, Israeli air and intelligence superiority has had a considerable negative impact on Hezbollah since the conflict escalated on October 1, the date that marks the beginning of the so-called ‘Third Lebanon War’. The bombings and decapitation actions of the group’s three lines of command, including tactical and field commanders, contributed to this weakening.
Advantages and Disadvantages on the Battlefield
The expert points out that, despite the Israeli advantage in air strikes, Hezbollah has a significant advantage in land confrontations. This dynamic became evident with the beginning of the Israeli land invasion, also on October 1st.
The acceptance of a ceasefire by both parties after 57 days of conflict is seen by Zahreddine as an indication that Hezbollah has managed to maintain some element of deterrence towards Israel. However, the professor emphasizes that the group’s fragility is much more evident today than during the 2006 war.
The announcement of the ceasefire, made by the White House and confirmed in Jerusalem by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, surprised some observers. This is because Hezbollah had previously declared that it would not accept a truce while the conflict in Gaza continued. The Lebanese group’s change in position suggests a reassessment of its strategy in light of the losses suffered.
