Experts unanimously agree that international forces tasked with preventing the organization’s resurgence in southern Lebanon are unlikely to succeed.
While Israel has achieved many of its goals in the war against Hezbollah, the blow to the terrorist organization was not fatal, and the future of an anticipated ceasefire agreement will depend on Israel’s ability to prevent future attacks, experts told The Press Service of Israel.
“The Israeli objective – to safely return northern residents to their homes – is achieved, at least in the near-term, by removing the risk of Hezbollah ground invasion or direct fire,” Meir Ben Shabbat, head of the Israeli Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy, told TPS-IL.
Beyond this, other critical war objectives have been met. Hezbollah, which came to support Hamas, is leaving the conflict severely weakened. “The strongest arm of the Iranian tentacle is leaving bruised,” Ben Shabbat noted.