Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, has stated his goals concerning the Israel-Hamas war have expanded to enabling Israeli citizens who fled their homes near the Lebanon-Israel border, to return home. The Lebanon-Israel border has experienced almost daily crossfire between Israeli forces and the Lebanese army group Hezbollah. The cross fire has displaced thousands and Hezbollah stated they would stand down so that displaced Israelis could return to their homes, however, only if there is a ceasefire in Gaza. Though, this possibility is looking bleak as despite months of negotiations and shuttle diplomacy, no truce or any agreement of peace has been reached.
As aforementioned, despite months of negotiations and shuttle diplomacy, no sort of truce or peace agreement has been secured between Israel and Hamas or Israel and Hezbollah, and because of these unprogressive talks and Hezbollah’s increasing affiliation with Hamas, it is unlikely that a ceasefire will occur on the Lebanese-Israeli border. Regardless of the futility, it is crucial that the involved armies/countries/nations continue to push for peace. Thousands have been displaced and thousands continue to die and obtain serious injuries due to the Israel-Hamas war. Because of the danger facing the Lebanese and Israel border, people will continue to flee to refugee areas and they will become overcrowded. Supplies will continue to be depleted and disease will also continue to become a bigger issue, as sanitary items are in a shortage.
Hamas and Hezbollah demonstrate the power of non-state actors/NGOs. Despite their unpopularity among bigger states, these states must negotiate with them in order to facilitate peaceful relations. Additionally, within the realm of international politics, one would usually assume that states/countries and IGOs such as the UN, EU, NATO, etc. would always be front and center in consternation of world events. Hamas and Hezbollah highlight the importance of non-state actors in global politics and how they should not be chalked up to small, uninfluential organizations.