Israeli invasion could push an already unstable Lebanon over the edge into total state collapse

An unstable, devastated and failing Lebanon will only have negative ramifications for all in the Middle East, including Israel

Israel has launched what it is calling a 'limited ground operation' which it claims is designed to clear Hezbollah out of south Lebanon. Photo: AP/Baz Ratner

The Israeli invasion of Lebanon has begun — and there are reports of heavy fighting between units of the Israel Defense Forces and Hezbollah in south Lebanon, accompanied by airstrikes and shelling of Hezbollah positions.

For the past year, many have feared that the war between Israel and Hamas will spill over into neighbouring countries and drag the Middle East into a devastating conflict. Now Israel has launched what it is calling a “limited ground operation” which it claims is designed to clear Hezbollah out of south Lebanon.