Last week, Israel escalated again, sending ground troops into southern Lebanon in its effort to push Hezbollah away from the border. Analysts credit Israel with a notable run of military wins, one that has boosted the mood of despondent Israelis and lifted the political fortunes of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at least for now.
But experts in Israel and Washington are also asking: Now what? They say it is unclear how Israel’s surge of success against Hezbollah will bring meaningful changes — much less an end — to its fights against Iranian-backed forces in Lebanon, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Yemen and, now, perhaps with Iran itself.
