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Transcript/ScriptLEBANON ISRAEL TENSIONS
HEADLINE: Lebanon Braces for the Possibility of a Costly, Complicated War
TEASER: As tensions rise, many Lebanese watch and wait for a border conflict they hope will not happen
PUBLISHED AT: 10/17/2023 at 11:15am
BYLINE: Jacob Russell
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Beirut, Lebanon
VIDEOGRAPHER: Jacob Russell,
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: LR, MAS, SV approved for balance
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA ORIGINAL, AFP, AP
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:41
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TV/R
UPDATE: ))
((INTRO)) [[Tensions have been rising on the Lebanese Israeli border since Israel began military action against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Lebanese militant political group Hezbollah has warned that an Israeli ground invasion of Gaza would bring them into the conflict, a promise that would inevitably drag Lebanon into a costly and especially complicated war. Jacob Russell has this report from Beirut.]]
((NARRATOR))
As Israel appears to be preparing for an invasion of the Gaza Strip, the Lebanese militant political group Hezbollah has said that this would provoke their entry into the war.
The border between Israel and Lebanon has been tense for years, with Israeli Defense Forces and Hezbollah periodically exchanging fire.
Until now, both sides have respected rules of engagement designed to avoid triggering a full-scale war. But already in the first few days of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the violence along Lebanon’s border with Israel has escalated considerably, causing casualties on both sides of the border.
[[RADIO VERSION: Mohanad Hage is Deputy Director of Research at the Carnegie Middle East Center.]]
((Mohanad Hage Ali, Carnegie Middle East Center (male, in ENGLISH)) ((VIA SKYPE))
“Compared to the previous rules of engagements and the attacks that happened in the past two days were an escalation of what we've had in the past.” //
“And I think what comes next is also going to be within the same frame and kind of an upgrade in terms of violence that we've previously seen. But the question is, are both sides interested in keeping it within this confined space?”
((NARRATOR))
Inside Lebanon, Hezbollah enjoys support from those who see it as defending a just cause.
[[RADIO VERSION: Among them is Ahmed, whose full name is withheld.]]
((Ahmed, Hezbollah Supporter (MALE IN ENGLISH))
“It’s not ok for Israel to hurt Palestinian people, children and civilians. It should be military against military.”
However, many also remember the last time the two sides went to war in 2006 and do not want to be dragged into another one.
[[RADIO VERSION: Tony, a barber, was asked if he fears another confrontation with Lebanon’s southern neighbors.]]
((Tony, (last name withheld) Barber (MALE IN ARABIC.))
“Of course [we’re afraid]. It will destroy our homes. It will destroy our country. We’ve had enough, we don’t want it.”
((NARRATOR))
The likely destruction that Lebanon would experience in another war with Israel would have serious consequences for the country’s fragile internal order...
[[RADIO VERSION: ...says the Carnegie Middle East Center’s Mohanad Hage Ali.]]
((Mohanad Hage Ali, Carnegie Middle East Center - MALE IN ENGLISH)) ((SKYPE))
“If there's an Israeli, a massive Israeli bombing campaign a la 2006, a leading to a great destruction within Lebanon, that would reshuffle the cards internally.”
((NARRATOR))
Hezbollah appears to have little interest in assuaging the concerns of other Lebanese. Speaking anonymously, a senior commander recently told VOA News that the party has units in Beirut at full readiness to defend its supporters from other Lebanese factions. He said, quote; “If necessary, we can take over this country in 24 hours.”
Lebanon is still reeling from a profound socio-economic crisis and could ill afford to rebuild after a war. Internally, the long-term consequences of a war would depend heavily on Hezbollah's ability to secure funding for reconstruction.
((Jacob Russell, for VOA News, Beirut, Lebanon))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Beirut, Lebanon
Embargo DateOctober 17, 2023 16:27 EDT
Byline
Jacob Russell, for VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
