In a warning, Israel’s opposition leader, Yair Lapid, has cautioned against a “security disaster” and highlighted the exhaustion of the Israeli army. The war is now being fought on two fronts. In the field, Israeli strikes are intensifying in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, in Israel itself, the political consensus surrounding the conflict is beginning to fracture.
In Lebanon, the Israeli army is slowly advancing in the border area, where it has established an “advanced defense zone” facing Hezbollah, a Tehran ally. Lebanese authorities report that strikes on Thursday, March 26, resulted in at least five deaths in areas weakened by weeks of fighting.
Since the beginning of the clashes in early March, over 1,100 people have been killed, and more than a million residents have been forced to flee. Against this backdrop, Beirut accuses Israel of “threatening the country’s sovereignty” and has decided to bring the matter to the UN Security Council.
The situation continues to escalate, as operations expand from Gaza to Lebanon and Iran, changing the nature of the war for Israel. What was initially seen as a strategic response is turning into a prolonged commitment that engages the army on multiple fronts simultaneously.
Lapid, Israel’s opposition leader and former Prime Minister, issued a warning to citizens about a looming security disaster on the 27th day of the conflict. Behind this alarming statement lies a growing concern about the army’s capabilities. According to Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, the situation is becoming critical, with fears of internal collapse within the army.
The military pressure is evolving into a political crisis as the army demands additional forces and pushes for expanded conscription, including among ultra-Orthodox Jews. This reform is supported by a significant portion of the public but faces opposition from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who risks weakening his coalition if he enforces it.
The conflict is now about more than just military matters, as it challenges the political balance of the country. Lapid and other critics accuse the government of lacking adequate resources for its strategy, leading to doubts on the right as well.
Overall, there is a growing concern that the war is spreading, the army is wearing thin, and the political consensus is beginning to crumble.
