The crisis may spiral if not contained quickly
What could have been just another chapter in the ongoing tit-for-tat between Israel and Hizbollah is metamorphosing from a tactical fight into an existential war.
Escalation is in the very nature of this type of conflict. Israel perceives it in existential terms, as a choice between allowing armed organisations dedicated to its destruction to operate with impunity or tackling them forcefully. Hizbollah also believes its role and existence are at stake; it cannot back down without risking irrevocable defeat. If Hamas feels itself unable to govern, it would rather go down fighting than failing.