Israeli ground operations spark concern in German press

The Israeli army is conducting "limited and targeted" ground operations against Hezbollah terrorist targets in southern Lebanon, the Israeli armed forces announced in a statement issued overnight from Monday to Tuesday. The justification for the attack is the direct threat to towns in northern Israel. The military has been preparing for this operation for the past few months.

According to the leftist Berlin newspaper "Junge Welt," it is understandable that Israeli opposition politicians support a bold strike in Lebanon. But Israel does not define its war goals, which is one of the strategic tenets of the state founded in 1948 and its "recipe for success."

As noted by the Bavarian newspaper "Augsburger Allgemeine," this is not a "major ground offensive like the one in the Gaza Strip". According to the German newspaper, Israel's plans are mainly based on individual, highly targeted actions that are "directed exclusively against Hezbollah, not Lebanese civilians."

According to the newspaper, after a year of continuous bombings Israel has no other choice. It must take action against the terrorist organization on its territory.

"The West wanted to prevent Israel from moving forward, and Washington, gritting its teeth, finally agreed," writes "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung." The newspaper adds that the situation has shown "deep alienation between Israel and its most important ally."

"Even if we consider America's concerns about complications in the region, it turns out that the political and moral credit that Israel enjoyed in much of the West after October 7 was largely exhausted," notes "FAZ."

"Frankfurter Rundschau" notes that through the ground operation in Lebanon, Israel continues its strategy of strength. "From the perspective of the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu, this is understandable. After all, it wants to further weaken Hezbollah so that the terrorist militia can no longer threaten Israel, and people in the north of the country can return to their homes," the newspaper emphasizes.

The commentator fears that this is not good news for those who advocate for a ceasefire. "Israel will continue to rely solely on military might. It will stay on top, but true security will not be achieved. Neither Hezbollah nor Hamas will be completely defeated militarily," reads the Wednesday edition of "Frankfurter Rundschau."