EXCLUSIVE: Israel has conducted “targeted” strikes in Lebanon, which in turn has begun evacuations and is using various buildings including schools as shelters – and now the region faces a choice, says Professor Anthony Glees

Israel has increased the intensity of its strikes in Lebanon, killing 500 and injuring 2,000 more – and now the Middle East is approaching the “end game”.

This claim comes according to Professor Anthony Glees of the University of Buckingham, who has laid bare the stark reality of what one key form of escalation could mean for the overall security of the region. Israel has said it conducted “targeted” strikes against Lebanon, which in turn is reported to have begun evacuations and using various buildings including schools as shelters. For Professor Glees, the escalating violence between the two countries positions the region at something of a crossroads. “We are, of course, seeing terrifying escalation – on Israel’s part,” he said. “The question is where will this end.” He thinks that two options face the Middle East – and one of them will see a guarantee of all-out war.

“Will it end with an Israeli victory over Hezbollah, allowing the return of some 60,000 Israelis to the homes in northern Israel that they’ve had to evacuate, thanks to Hezbollah the short-range Falaq missiles it lobs at Israel?

“Or will Iran step in, launch its accurate long-range Fateh-110 missiles from their silos in the north of Lebanon and obliterate Israeli towns and cities within a few minutes? “If it’s the latter, this will for sure trigger a general regional war in the Middle East.”

Fears of an all-out war have been widespread, with commentators noting that the timing of the 79th UN General Assembly which opens today (September 24) comes at a poignant time for preventing all-out war. “The war that began on 7 October 2023 is nearing its endgame. It will either produce a temporary Israeli victory over Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, or it will degenerate into a wider regional war, with Netanyahu believing that he has to seize this dangerous moment and turn it to his best advantage. He risks the peace of the world but one suspects he could no longer care less.” Professor Glees noted that the act of Defence Secretary John Healey this morning (September 24) could be evidence that the situation is in more dire straights. He noted that Mr Healey, “has left Liverpool to rush back to London for a COBRA mtg. That could be serious”.

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