By: The Editorial Board – wsj.com – August 25, 2024

The IDF’s success in pre-empting a larger attack, and the terrorists’ failed response, limited the escalation.

Hezbollah joined Hamas’s assault on Israel on Oct. 8. The Lebanese terrorists have since fired more than 6,700 missiles and drones, depopulating Israel’s north. On Saturday Israeli and U.S. intelligence discerned preparation for a major Hezbollah attack on Israel, including against intelligence bases near Tel Aviv. Around 4:45 a.m., pre-empting the attack Hezbollah now admits was scheduled for 5:15 a.m., some 100 Israeli jets destroyed hundreds of rockets and launchers in southern Lebanon.

The terrorists subsequently fired 210 rockets and 20 drones, most of which were intercepted or hit open space in Israel. With that, Hezbollah said the “first part” of its retaliation for the July 30 assassination of its military chief, Fuad Shukr, was complete. Hassan Nasrallah, the group’s leader, said it is possible there may not be a second part.

As it always does, Hezbollah called its salvo a great success. One Israeli woman was lightly wounded by rocket shrapnel, and one Israeli sailor was killed by shrapnel from an interceptor. Hezbollah’s best direct hit seems to have been on an Israeli chicken coop. The blue-chip Tel Aviv 35 stock index rose 2% for the day.

The knee-jerk response from the global left is to condemn Israel for “escalation.” But in greatly reducing the damage from Hezbollah’s attack, the Israeli strike limited the escalation. Big hits on Israel could have set off a far more destructive war.

The dog that didn’t bark is Iran. Hezbollah’s masters may have given the order, but they shrank from joining directly, which is Israel’s larger concern. Tehran sees the surge of U.S. forces to the region, and it should know that it, too, can be pre-empted, embarrassed or worse.

Hezbollah attacked from southern Lebanon, and Israel kept to that turf as well. For now there are still rules to the game, even as they shift and pressure grows to do more. Will Hezbollah keep taking losses? Will Israel remain under a sword of Damocles? Israel has the right to defeat Hezbollah, not merely defend itself.

Hezbollah’s attack comes on a key weekend for Gaza negotiations, which continue as Hamas fails to get its way. Hezbollah tried to lend Hamas a hand, Mr. Nasrallah said.

Will President Biden, fearing escalation, now add to the pressure on Israel to make dangerous cease-fire concessions? Better to let Hamas and Hezbollah contemplate their military failures. They should be making the concessions.

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Source: Israel Stymies Hezbollah’s Attack – WSJ