Israel's last war against Hezbollah ended in stalemate. Fierce border clashes suggest a win won't be easy

The Ziv hospital in northern Israel is under high alert. Non-urgent operations are being postponed, staff have been asked to consider donating blood when necessary, and all patients have been relocated underground, including newborns in the maternity unit. The concern is clear: if more Israeli troops are dispatched to southern Lebanon, the situation could become bloody. Over the past year, the region has been in a war-like state, and the hospital is braced for a potential influx of casualties.

Ziv Medical Center, the only hospital in the area near Israel's borders with Lebanon and Syria, has been treating patients injured by cross-border fire for months. The recent Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) ground operation against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, initially described as limited, signals potential escalation. The IDF's operation involves units from four divisions, though specific troop numbers remain undisclosed.

Israel has extended evacuation orders to about a quarter of Lebanese territory, displacing over 1.2 million people. Meanwhile, IDF and Hezbollah have engaged in fierce clashes, with notable resistance even after targeted assassinations of Hezbollah's leadership. The conflict resembles the situation from the 2006 Second Lebanon War, which ended in a stalemate.

Lebanese casualties have exceeded 1,500, and criticism has arisen regarding escalations from both sides. Israeli casualties, primarily military, have also occurred, with IDF soldiers receiving treatment at Ziv Medical Center.

The IDF is determined to continue the operation, despite the challenges of guerilla warfare and Hezbollah’s entrenched defenses in southern Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned of a prolonged conflict if necessary to ensure security. However, some Israeli civilians and conscientious objectors express resistance to the ongoing military actions, highlighting a spectrum of perspectives within Israeli society.

An 18-year-old objector, for example, has been repeatedly imprisoned for refusing to enlist in the IDF, citing moral objections against military operations in Lebanon and elsewhere. This sentiment reflects concerns about the cycle of violence perpetuating future conflicts. Despite high spirits among the troops, the broader societal implications continue to evoke diverse reactions.