Israel says its army has launched a ground operation in southern Lebanon to target Hezbollah.
It’s the latest escalation after more than a week of air strikes across the country, which have killed hundreds of Lebanese civilians, and the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
It comes as Israeli allies, including US President Joe Biden, urge it to agree to a ceasefire with Hezbollah.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has voiced support for the Israeli military’s goals in Lebanon.
So. does America want to push Israel towards a diplomatic solution? Or help it to weaken Hezbollah?

Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom

Guests:

Michael Wahid Hanna — US Program Director at the International Crisis Group

Ilan Baruch — Chairperson of Policy Working Group, an Israeli advocacy team focusing on policy issues based on the two-state solution

Andreas Krieg — Associate Professor at the School of Security Studies at King’s College London