Border War Depletes Hezbollah, Worries Israel

 A picture taken from a position by the northern Israeli border with Lebanon shows smoke billowing during Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanese territory on May 10, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border tensions. (AFP)
A picture taken from a position by the northern Israeli border with Lebanon shows smoke billowing during Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanese territory on May 10, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border tensions. (AFP)
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Border War Depletes Hezbollah, Worries Israel

 A picture taken from a position by the northern Israeli border with Lebanon shows smoke billowing during Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanese territory on May 10, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border tensions. (AFP)
A picture taken from a position by the northern Israeli border with Lebanon shows smoke billowing during Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanese territory on May 10, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border tensions. (AFP)

Hezbollah deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem acknowledged that the party had to make changes to its military approach in its war with Israel in southern Lebanon.

The conflict between the two parties erupted on October 8, a day after Hamas launched its surprise attack on Israel, sparking the war on Gaza.

Initially, Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel from southern Lebanon in “support of the resistance in Gaza.” The war has now turned into one of attrition, running along the southern border.

Israel’s attacks on the South have devastated villages and left hundreds of people dead.

Qassem said on Friday Hezbollah “has learned lessons” from the fighting, “assessed the positives and negatives” and made “necessary amendments so that it can achieve a major accomplishment.”

Figures close to Hezbollah revealed that the party has lost some 300 fighters in the war. The Health Ministry has tallied 351 deaths and 1,413 injuries.

Researcher at Information International Mohammed Chamseddeine said Hezbollah lost 350 fighters during the July 2006 war against Israel, while it has now lost some 290 members in eight months.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he added that 57 civilians have been killed in the latest war compared to 1,267 in 2006.

Several observers believe it is unfair to compare the current war to the one 2006. They say the current conflict is limited to the South and Hezbollah has said it is aimed at supporting Gaza. The 2006 conflict was an “all-out war” with Israel launching strikes across Lebanon.

In March, Hezbollah announced that it had carried out 1,194 operations against Israel since October 8 revealing that it killed and injured 2,000 Israelis.

Director of the Middle East Center for Studies and Political Research Dr. Hisham Jaber said that back in 2006, Israel realized that it could not continue with the war because it was unable to achieve its goal of “breaking Hezbollah.” So, it ended it after 33 days.

At the time, Hezbollah boasted some 6,000 professional fighters and 10,000 members. Now, the figures are much greater, and the party’s fighters have gained experience during their involvement in the war in Syria, he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Israel has also raised its military capabilities and built on its past experiences.

Jaber described the conflict in the South as a war of attrition. “Hezbollah started the war and is now involved. It can no longer comply with Israeli demands and conditions because that will harm is image before its supporters and Lebanese people. So, it has no other interest than forging ahead with the war and persevering,” he explained.

“We must note, however, that the party has only revealed very little of its arsenal. The Radwan forces have not even taken action,” he went on to say.

For its part, Israel has no interest in launching a ground invasion of Lebanon, especially with the experience Hezbollah has gained in Syria, putting it at an advantage over the Israelis.



Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
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Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Thursday called on major powers to “exert greater efforts to end the war in Palestine and Lebanon.” Meanwhile, an Iraqi government official urged the United States to “prevent any attacks on the country,” referring to potential Israeli strikes.
During a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Al-Sudani stressed the importance of ensuring the conflict does not escalate “to a level that threatens regional and global stability.”
The Iraqi prime minister’s appeal comes amid reports suggesting that Israel may launch strikes on Iraq in retaliation for attacks by Iraqi armed factions targeting Israeli positions.
The Iraqi government is striving to assert its exclusive authority over weapons and war-related decisions. However, armed factions affiliated with the Axis of Resistance openly claim responsibility for near-daily rocket attacks on Israel. This has provided Israel with a justification for potentially targeting Iraqi territory, especially after it filed a complaint with the UN Security Council against six Iraqi factions and held Baghdad responsible for the attacks.
These factions have also openly declared their involvement in the ongoing conflict with Israel in Lebanon and Gaza. The Iraqi government has been unable to take decisive action to halt the activities of these factions, which many believe could soon expose Iraq to an Israeli strike.
According to media reports, Washington has warned Baghdad that Israeli airstrikes on Iraq are “imminent” unless the Iraqi government curtails attacks by Iranian-backed factions on Israel. The Times of Israel cited sources indicating that the United States has “exhausted all means of pressure on Israel” and urged Iraq to act swiftly to prevent such attacks.
Despite repeated assurances from the Iraqi government—including its recent adoption of 12 measures by the National Security Council to counter Israeli threats and complaints—the situation remains tense. These measures include monitoring Iraq’s western borders, preventing factions from launching attacks, and maintaining Iraq’s neutrality in the ongoing conflict.
On Wednesday, Abu Hussein Al-Hamidawi, Secretary-General of Kata’ib Hezbollah, made a striking statement on the role of resistance factions in the war and their commitment to the Unity of Fronts doctrine frequently mentioned by Axis of Resistance groups.
In an interview published by the faction’s media arm, Al-Hamidawi said: “The continuity of the Unity of Fronts concept depends on what the Lebanese Hezbollah decides.”
Al-Hamidawi also emphasized that resistance factions are constantly coordinating internally and with external partners such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Palestinian resistance leaders.
“We aim to ensure that the Palestinian people are not left alone and that the Unity of Fronts remains intact,” he stated.
Fadi Al-Shammari, a political advisor to Sudani, reiterated that Israel’s threats “are not new,” citing the recent complaint filed by Israel with the UN Security Council as part of its pattern of issuing threats.
In media statements, Al-Shammari reaffirmed the Iraqi government’s long-standing position: “The decision of war and peace lies solely with the Iraqi government.”
He noted that the factions’ attacks are being launched from areas outside Iraq’s borders, specifically from Syria. However, he stressed that the Iraqi government is working through its security and military agencies to prevent Iraq from becoming a battlefield for external or internal parties.
Al-Shammari also called on the United States to fulfill its responsibilities under the Strategic Framework Agreement and security pact with Iraq, emphasizing the need to deter and respond to any external attacks that threaten Iraq’s internal security.