‘Ground invasion or not, Israel is waging its ugly war against Lebanon‘, says Lebanese professor

We spoke to Sari Hanafi, who’s a Professor of Sociology at the American University of Beirut, and asked him if people in Lebanon are now expecting a ground invasion and all-out war with Israel.

Sari Hanafi: Yes, people are alarmed. In any case, so far we have 650 Lebanese killed, civilians, and around 3,000 injured. So a ground invasion or not, Israel is really waging its ugly war against Lebanon.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy: What do you think the effects of a ground invasion will be?

Sari Hanafi: I think, in the short term, it will be disastrous because if they will do like 2006, it means that destroyed Lebanese infrastructure. It will be a heavy blow to the everyday life of the Lebanese. But I think, in a middle range, it will be a graveyard for the Israeli soldiers.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy: Right. Israel has much greater military capability now than it had in 2006, and its intelligence certainly seems to be much better than it was then, judging from its airstrikes. How can Hezbollah fight back?

Sari Hanafi: The intelligence is not only the Mossad intelligence, it’s also UK intelligence, United States intelligence. And France intelligence, Germany intelligence. All they collaborate with Mossad to undermine any possibility of a peace process. So let’s face it, let’s say clearly, Hezbollah has a chain of transmitting arms from Iran, Iraq, to Syria, to Lebanon.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy: And what effect is this having on popular attitudes towards Hezbollah?

Sari Hanafi: You have part of the Lebanese, they are against, they are very worried that Lebanon will be destroyed because of Hezbollah solidarity with with Gaza, people, and with the Palestinian people. But this division is usual in any countries. I think in your, UK, country, with so amazing demonstration. And nevertheless, the UK government, until today, they are still sending arms to to continue this genocidal war in Gaza.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy: Is it the case now that unless there is a ceasefire in Gaza, the war in Lebanon will continue? There is no question of decoupling and having a ceasefire in the north while the Gaza war carries on.

Sari Hanafi: There is some diplomatic effort now. And a lot of gossip started from Qatar, the United States, France, that they want to have a diplomatic solution to this hostility. But I don’t think Netanyahu will accept without a heavy price from Hezbollah. And I don’t think Hezbollah will accept the decoupling Palestinian issue from their solidarity with the Palestinians. They cannot stop this solidarity while israel is is waging this genocide.