International newspapers continue to discuss Israel’s indifference toward halting its aggression on Lebanon and the Palestinian Gaza Strip, highlighting how the United States is focusing on reshaping the region by force, while largely ignoring Israel’s desire to continue its war efforts.
In its editorial titled “The Cowardly Abandonment of Lebanon,” Le Monde stated that Israeli authorities seem uninterested in stopping the fighting in Lebanon or Gaza. The French newspaper pointed out that the U.S. rarely addresses this issue compared to its emphasis on reshaping the region through force.
Le Monde also noted how Israel “continues to enjoy complete impunity, from unchecked colonization in the occupied West Bank to managing wars deep into Beirut, including the 17-year blockade that has suffocated Gaza without weakening the Islamic resistance movement (Hamas).”
Similarly, The New York Times quoted international law experts stating that the right to self-defense has legal limits, especially if Israel’s use of force in Lebanon is disproportionate to the threat it faces or if it fails to prioritize civilian protection.
Ambiguous Legitimacy
The experts also highlighted that determining the legality of Israel’s invasion could be ambiguous, allowing for various interpretations. Most cases, they said, would require resolution by a court or the United Nations Security Council.
Meanwhile, The Independent praised Irish peacekeeping forces who, it said, stood firm in the face of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. The British newspaper emphasized that these forces have a long history of being stationed on the front lines in Lebanon, noting how Irish soldiers refused to abandon their observation post when Israeli forces ordered them to make way for their invasion.
The newspaper remarked that the story of the Irish UNIFIL battalion is filled with tragedies, often gaining additional significance in Ireland due to the country’s solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
In a report from the West Bank, The Washington Post highlighted the struggles of Palestinian-American families whose loved ones were killed by Israeli forces or settlers. The families claimed that justice for their children remains elusive. Despite U.S. pressure for accountability, Israeli police have made no progress in their investigations and rarely communicate with the families, while the victims’ relatives face harassment from Israeli authorities.
In an opinion piece on Foreign Affairs, it was argued that the ongoing war with Israel “strengthens the position of hardliners among Iran’s youth,” with the regional conflict “benefiting extremists within Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.” The article further stated that many younger officials, described as “hardliners,” were dissatisfied with Iran’s response to Israel, feeling that it had not inflicted significant damage. The site suggests that this new generation of hardliners is likely to become even more emboldened.
