Israel's Defense Strategy: Will It Work Against Hezbollah?

Israel aims to address the enduring threat of Hezbollah attacks by compelling Hezbollah to seek an end to the war while maintaining Israeli freedom to strike Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. Israel ramps up its response to Hezbollah and Houthi threats with strategic escalations, exploding devices, and a bold shift in defense strategy , signaling a new phase in the ongoing conflict. It requires self - defense strikes and proactive defense actions to deter Hezbollah from entering the war with Iranian support. All the while, the Israelis must keep Iran in focus as it continues. For decades, Israel has used military force to deter countries like Iran, as well as armed groups like Hezbollah , from acting against Israel’s aims in the region. How do these recent strikes fit within Israel’s broader strategy – and how far is the escalation likely to go? Israel ’ s successful decapitation strategy against Hezbollah has brought the terror group to its knees. The United States and Israel should take proactive measures to guarantee it will not rise and threaten Israel again. Israel decimated the group’s leadership last fall and degraded its military capabilities. Can the same strategy work against a far more powerful foe? Deterrence: Maintaining offensive capabilities against Hezbollah and Iran while managing ceasefire compliance. Territorial Control: Entrenching security corridors in Lebanon and the West Bank to disrupt militant networks. Political Leverage: Aligning with U.S. Initiatives to reshape Gaza’s demography while countering PA-Hamas rivalries. Israel ’ s escalating decapitation strategy against Hezbollah risks alienating Western allies and destabilizing regional energy security without decisively curbing Iranian influence.