On Saturday, March 22nd, according to Reuters, south Lebanon was hit by Israeli artillery and airstrikes, killing at least 8, apparently in response to an attack that Israel had intercepted. Moreover, the strikes followed the end of the ceasefire between Palestine and Israel. These strikes were aimed at Hezbollah, which is a Shia Islamist political party, militant organization, and social services provider based in Lebanon, known for its armed resistance against Israel, strong influence in Lebanese politics, and support from Iran and Syria. 

Hezbollah and Israel have an established truce, which many sources claim is “fragile” and “endangered.” In a variety of ways, the truce is sustained by mutual deterrence rather than genuine peace. BBC highlights that the truce includes Hezbollah being “required to remove its fighters and weapons,” while Israel’s military would “withdraw from positions occupied in the war.” However, the recurring strikes on Hezbollah targets indicate the lack of true peace in the region. There have been few responses to such attacks. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun believes that these are meant to “drag Lebanon into a cycle of violence.” The UN, additionally, has peacekeeping forces deployed in Lebanon. The attack illustrates the weaknesses of peacekeeping forces, as it relies heavily on the continued cooperation between host countries.

This conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is not new to the Middle East. Al-Jazeera, in a video detailing the history between the two, reports that the conflict can be traced back to the Lebanese Civil War. In June 1982, as a response to a northern attack by the Palestine Liberation Organization based in southern Lebanon, Israel invaded Lebanon, and consequently, Hezbollah formed to resist the invasion (among other Lebanese groups). The push and pull between Israel and Hezbollah continued with events such as the Seven-Day War, and an eventual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory by 2000. In 2006, the 5-week war rekindled the conflict between them. Finally, in 2023, Hezbollah – in support of Palestine – launched a rocket campaign. Their truce was signed towards the end of 2024, which brings us to the situation today.  

As Israel’s strikes on Hezbollah targets continue to be framed as defensive actions, there is ultimately a failure to move beyond cycles of provocation and retaliation on both sides. These violent actions continue to endanger civilian lives and deepen the instability that resides in the Middle East. What’s most concerning is that these actions reflect an overreliance on military solutions, rather than addressing the root causes of conflict through dialogue, diplomacy, and trust-building measures. It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to applaud reactive military responses that ignore the need for holistic, long-term solutions. Real peace demands more than fragile truces and temporary deterrence; it requires sustained engagement, honest negotiation, and investment in building institutions that can foster mutual understanding. 

As history shows, this cycle of violence, retaliation, and uneasy ceasefires has become a pattern in the region. The current strikes and growing tensions serve as a reminder that while truces may be signed on paper, the deep-rooted hostility, unresolved territorial disputes, and competing regional influences make long-term peace incredibly fragile. Without sustained diplomatic efforts and mutual concessions, the risk of escalation remains ever-present — threatening not only Lebanon and Israel but the broader stability of the Middle East.