Will Israel launch a 'Lebanonization of Gaza' during the second phase of the ceasefire?
The ongoing conflict in Gaza continues despite a ceasefire agreement, with ongoing military actions by Israel leading to significant casualties and destruction.
In Gaza, despite the ceasefire that began on October 10, the conflict has not ended for its inhabitants. Reports indicate ongoing air, land, and naval attacks targeting individuals in systematic elimination operations, along with significant destruction of houses and buildings. This extensive military activity has not been limited to the Israeli military's operational areas, but also includes strikes outside the so-called 'yellow line'. Since the ceasefire began, Israel has reportedly committed over 1,520 violations, resulting in 556 fatalities and 1,500 injuries according to the government’s media office.
The situation in Gaza is being compared to Israel’s military actions in Lebanon, particularly following the ceasefire with Hezbollah in November 2024. Various analysts and local media are questioning whether Israel is initiating a similar approach in Gaza, which they are referring to as 'Lebanonizing Gaza'. Ibrahim Al-Madhoun, the director of the National Media Foundation, asserts that Israel appears to be implementing a policy that is not only analogous to its actions in Lebanon but is also executing it with much greater severity and brutality.
This potential new strategy of 'Lebanonizing Gaza' raises alarms about the increased militarization and civilian impact of the conflict. Observers warn that this could lead to a more entrenched and violent situation similar to Lebanon's long-term conflict scenario. The implications of such a pattern could further destabilize the region, inflaming tensions and leading to more humanitarian crises in Gaza, an area already struggling with immense casualties and destruction from ongoing military operations.