Hezbollah's Calculated Restraint in Fragile Lebanon

Lebanon, already crippled by a financial collapse and a crumbling state, cannot afford another war with Israel, and Hezbollah is well aware of this. While Hezbollah battles Israel, it has no interest in a large-scale conflict that would further devastate the country. However, the risk of war remains high, especially if Hamas appears to be losing in the Gaza Strip. Lebanese leaders fear that Israel may instigate a major conflict with Hezbollah, but Israel has warned that it would bring "devastation" upon Lebanon. With the state coffers empty, the question of who would pay for reconstruction after a war arises, and there are doubts about whether Gulf Arab states would provide the same level of support as they did in 2006 due to Hezbollah's increased role in Lebanon.