Tipping Point Quick Hits (7.21.22)

Israel warns Hezbollah, Saudis side with Palestinians, and Dutch farmers revolt

Lapid Warns Hezbollah at Lebanon Border

Earlier this week, temporary new Israel prime minister Yair Lapid made an unannounced visit to Israel’s border with Lebanon. He was touring the area with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and other military officials. While there, Lapid noted the recent aggression by Hezbollah—the Shia Islamist militant group aligned with Iran and based in Lebanon—and threatened a harsh military response.

On Monday, Israel announced it had intercepted a drone crossing into the country from Lebanese territory, after having shot down additional unmanned aircraft earlier in July. Then last week, Hezbollah’s leader had threatened Israel with military conflict in a dispute over a border.

Lebanon and Israel have officially been at war since Israel’s creation in 1948. Right now, Israel estimates the group has 150,000 rockets and missiles aimed at Israel and considers Hezbollah one of its most serious current threats.