A return to Israel-Hezbollah hostilities?

Funerals have been held for six Hezbollah fighters who were killed in an Israeli air strike in Syria.

Iran has confirmed that a general with its Revolutionary Guard was also killed in the attack.

Israeli security sources said their targets were planning an attack against Israel.

The dead also included the son of a top Hezbollah commander who was killed in a 2008 attack blamed on Israel.

Three days before the air strike, Hezbollah’s leader warned that the group was ready to fight a new war.

Hassan Nasrallah said: “If the Israelis think that the resistance is weakened or exhausted or that its capabilities and readiness have been compromised, they are completely deluded, and will find that out if they decide to build on these ideas. It will be a foolish act not just a mistake.”

But can the rivals afford a return to hostilities? Or do they have more pressing priorities?

Presenter:

Shiulie Ghosh

Guests:

Elias Hanna – Military and security analyst, and a retired Lebanese Army general.

Michael Stephens – Head of the Royal United Services Institute in Qatar, and a specialist in Gulf security.

Nicholas Noe – Co-founder of Mideastwire.com and author of the book “Voice of Hezbollah: The Statements of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.”