Lebanon is currently in a deep crisis with both internal and external consequences. A combination of political chaos, economic collapse, and geopolitical tensions has left the country vulnerable to conflict. Israel, which has attacked Lebanon multiple times in the past, continues to carry out military operations against Hezbollah, a powerful armed group in Lebanon.   

The situation in Lebanon  

Israel has launched a two-week wave of attacks on Lebanon, killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and several commanders. Hezbollah has vowed to resist any Israeli ground invasion. Apart from the killings of the Hezbollah leaders, the strikes have resulted in around 1,000 Lebanese civilians’ deaths. One million people have been displaced.  

Why can Israel attack Lebanon without consequences?  

Israel has an history of launching attacks on Lebanese targets, primarily aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s militias and infrastructure. These operations are framed as defensive measures against a direct threat to the safety of Israeli citizens. Hezbollah regularly fires rockets into Israeli territory, and Israel responds with targeted strikes to neutralize this threat.  

One key reason why Israel can conduct these attacks with relatively few international consequences lies in the political context. First, Hezbollah is classified as a terrorist organization by many Western nations, including the United States and the European Union. This fosters a degree of understanding and tolerance for Israel’s actions. Moreover, Israel’s strategic alliance with the United States, a major global power, provides it with diplomatic cover against sanctions or significant international condemnation, even when civilian casualties occur.  

While international laws such as the Geneva Conventions require that civilian populations be protected in military operations, Israel argues that it complies by issuing warnings before striking civilian targets used by Hezbollah. However, these operations often result in significant damage to Lebanese infrastructure and a high number of civilian deaths, raising questions about the proportionality of Israel’s response.  

Could this happen to Belgium?  

In stark contrast to Lebanon, Belgium is well-protected against military attacks thanks to its membership in both the European Union and NATO. NATO operates on the principle of collective defence, meaning that an attack on one member state is considered an attack on all member states. An attack on Belgium would thus prompt an immediate response from other major military powers, including the United States and other European nations.  

This strong defence mechanism ensures that Belgium is not subjected to the same threats as Lebanon. While Lebanon is vulnerable to foreign interference due to internal division and the presence of armed groups, Belgium enjoys stability, a functioning state, and international protection. In addition, although Belgium does not have a large military, it possesses advanced technology and is deeply integrated into international defence structures.  

 Moreover, the situation in Belgium is different due to the absence of a group like Hezbollah, which acts as a proxy in a broader geopolitical conflict. Belgium has no hostile neighbours actively considering military operations on its soil, while Lebanon sits at the heart of a highly unstable and conflict-prone region.