The more the tension rises between Israel and its regional foes Iran and Hezbollah, the more the talk of war becomes louder. This dynamic has been at play for years; as each side gains more power, the greater the public fear of war. Yet the possibility of a real war occurring keeps falling despite all the hot air.
Since Dec. 4, the world has been following Israel’s Operation Northern Shield on its border with Lebanon. The operation, according to Israeli officials, is aimed at uncovering and destroying Hezbollah’s network of tunnels that reach into Israel. Briefing foreign ambassadors Dec. 6, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hezbollah seeks to send “entire battalions” into his country — including via the tunnels Israel is now tackling — in order to seize land and to kidnap and kill Israelis.