Israel is once again under attack. The Hezbollah terror organization escalated its aggression against Israel on 21 September, launching a series of attacks that targeted civilian population centers deep inside Israel, leaving devastation in their wake.
In recent days, Hezbollah significantly expanded the range of its rocket attacks, adding an additional half a million Israelis to those already in danger from previous attacks.
The current conflict initiated by Hezbollah began without any provocation from Israel on 8 October, with frequent attacks launched from southern Lebanon, a territory Israel fully withdrew from in 2000.
Sunday’s attack follows more than 11 months of rocket fire, which has claimed the lives of dozens of Israelis, including 12 innocent children murdered during a soccer game.
These attacks have turned the northern border regions of Israel into a death zone, displacing some 70,000 Israelis from their homes, and creating a humanitarian and security crisis that cannot be ignored.
On 20 September, the IDF targeted Hezbollah’s top commanders holding a high-level meeting in which they planned a large-scale terror attack against Israeli communities, one that would mirror the horrific massacre of October 7th.
Israel acted to prevent this attack and protect its citizens from an imminent threat.
In the face of Hezbollah’s onslaught, Israel is doing what any sovereign nation would: defend the safety and security of all its citizens, Jews and Arabs alike.
Every state has the duty to protect its people from assaults originating from enemies beyond its borders.
Israel is fulfilling this obligation within the framework of international law and will continue to do whatever is necessary to ensure its citizens can return safely to their homes.
The international community is increasingly aware of Hezbollah’s destabilizing role in the region. Designated as a terrorist organization by numerous countries, including the United States, member states of the Arab League, Germany, Australia and the United Kingdom, Hezbollah took an active part in the massacres committed by the Syrian regime and is a focal factor of chaos in the region.
To effectively restore stability in the Middle East, it is crucial that the global community unites in officially recognizing Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.
It doesn’t stop there. Hezbollah’s relentless offensive is driven by Iran, the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism. Iran’s fingerprints can be found not only on Hezbollah but also on Hamas, the Houthis, and a network of Shia militias across the Middle East, particularly in Syria and Iraq.
Iran’s proxies are actively working to spread violence and mayhem. The Iranian regime has long sought to destabilize the region, imposing its radical ideology through violence to reshape the Middle East.
However, Iran’s ambitions go far beyond. Its influence extends into Europe, Africa, and the Americas. It threatens global security, including by providing drones and missiles to attack Ukraine, as it supports efforts that undermine peace and stability worldwide.
If the world is serious about stopping the violence and restoring stability, it will act decisively. First, the global community should increase sanctions on Iran, targeting the Ayatollah regime’s financial, military, and terror networks.
Specifically, the world must officially designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps as a terrorist organization. The IRGC is the nerve center of Iran’s global terrorism operations.
By sanctioning and isolating this entity, the international community can cripple its ability to finance and direct groups like Hezbollah.
Without this crucial step, Iran will continue to evade accountability, enabling it to pursue its destabilizing goals unchecked.
The international community must act swiftly and decisively to prevent Iran’s proliferation of terror, before the consequences reach beyond the Middle East. The facts are clear—the only question is whether the world will respond before it’s too late.
Furthermore, the U.N. Security Council should finally enforce Resolution 1701, which mandates the withdrawal of Hezbollah forces in Lebanon to north of the Litani River.
This resolution was passed to end Hezbollah’s stranglehold on southern Lebanon and prevent its attacks on Israel, yet Hezbollah continues to operate freely in that area, with Iran’s full support.
Hezbollah’s domination of Lebanon, its occupation of southern Lebanon, its reign of terror against Israeli civilians, and Iran’s unrelenting support for this terrorist organization and its malevolent activities must be confronted.
Israel stands at the forefront of this battle, defending not just its citizens but the security and values of the free world.
The threat posed by Iran and Hezbollah is undeniable. The time for action is now.
Those truly committed to peace and stability in the region need to push for the immediate implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701. That’s the only way to stop an all-out war.
The author is H. E. Einat Weiss, Israel Ambassador to Rwanda.