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Israel- Hezbollah Conflict

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Israel- Hezbollah Conflict

Context:

Israel vowed to retaliate strongly against Hezbollah, accusing the group of killing 12 children and teenagers in a rocket attack on a football field in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Hezbollah denied any involvement.

 

About Hezbollah:

  • Origins: Hezbollah was founded by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982 to fight the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, viewing Israel as an illegitimate state on occupied Palestinian land.
  • Historical Conflict: Hezbollah and Israel have a long history of conflict, with their last major war occurring in 2006.
  • Israel perceives Hezbollah as a significant threat due to its expanding arsenal and presence in Syria.
  • Invasions: Israel has conducted multiple invasions into Lebanon, including the 1982 invasion targeting Palestinian guerrillas.
  • Goals: Hezbollah aims to end Israeli presence in Palestinian territories and has pursued this goal through several wars with Israel.

 

Reasons for the Conflict:

  • Hezbollah’s Justification: The group claims its attacks support Palestinians under Israeli bombardment in Gaza.Iran’s Influence: The Gaza war has involved Iran-backed militants, with Hezbollah being a key player in the Axis of Resistance.

 

Impact:

  • The current conflict has the potential to escalate into a full-scale war involving Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran.
  • Regional Impact: The Gaza conflict has involved Iran-backed militants, with Hezbollah being a major player. Hezbollah has vowed to continue its attacks on Israel until a ceasefire in Gaza is achieved.
  • Israeli Objectives: Israel aims to deter Hezbollah by targeting its military infrastructure and elite units, such as the Radwan Force. Israeli leaders have also threatened severe destruction in southern Lebanon if Hezbollah continues aggressive actions.

 

India’s Stand :

Diplomatic Stance

  • Call for Restraint: India urges all parties to exercise restraint and seek peaceful dialogue to prevent further violence.
  • Support for Sovereignty: India supports Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, advocating for nations’ rights to independence.
  • Engagement in Multilateral Forums: India participates in international platforms, such as the UN, to address humanitarian issues and promote peace.

 

Humanitarian Concerns

  • Humanitarian Aid: India is concerned about the humanitarian impact and is ready to offer assistance to affected civilians.
  • Evacuation of Citizens: India has facilitated the evacuation of its nationals from conflict zones to ensure their safety.

 

Balancing Act

  • Strategic Interests: India balances its strong ties with Israel in defence and technology with its historical connections to Lebanon and the Arab world.
  • Regional Stability: India is concerned about the conflict’s impact on regional stability and potential spillover effects into neighbouring countries like Syria.

 

Axis of Resistance :

  • The ‘axis of resistance’ emerged after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which saw Shia clerics rise to power in Iran. 
  • Iran’s Axis of Resistance refers to a coalition of regional actors and militant groups/non-state actors
  •  It aligns with Iran’s strategic interests and opposition to Western influence, particularly that of the United States and its allies like Israel. 
  • The term ‘axis of resistance’ is inspired by President George W. Bush’s 2002 ‘axis of evil’ label, which referred to Iran, Iraq, and North Korea.

 

The axis includes several key components:

  • Hezbollah: Shiite militant group formed in the early 1980s by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to fight Israeli forces in Lebanon. It has 30,000 to 45,000 members and significant weaponry. 
  • Hezbollah is the biggest and most powerful member of the axis .
  • Hamas: Sunni militant group controlling Gaza since 2007. It emerged during the first Intifada in 1987 and opposes Zionism. Iran is known to support Hamas with funding, weapons, and expertise.
  • Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ): Sunni Islamist militant group aiming to establish an Islamic state in Palestine.
  •  It is the second-largest militant group in Gaza and the West Bank, founded in 1979 as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood.
  • Houthis: Zaydi Shia militant group involved in Yemen’s civil war since 2014. They control northern Yemen and have attacked ships in the Red Sea in response to Israeli actions in Gaza after October 7.
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