Netanyahu Seeks to Maintain Lebanon Front to Sustain Domestic Support Amid Iran Deal Uncertainty

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s domestic situation has become increasingly precarious due to the prospect of a deal with Iran, prompting him to maintain a visible military presence on at least one front to reassure his voters. Consequently, there is a growing push to deploy more troops in southern Lebanon. This development has caught Israel off guard, as it directly contradicts Netanyahu’s initial promises to his people of a decisive victory, regime change, and elimination of the Iranian threat. Those objectives remain unfulfilled, casting a shadow over the outcome of the operation, dubbed the Lion’s Roar, which has reportedly been downgraded to the Howling Cats by Israeli military analysts.