A war on its southern border will not help improve its fortunes. The images of death and destruction from Gaza and the hostages held since the war’s beginning are heartbreaking. For those reasons alone, whatever one thinks of Mikati, his peace plan should be encouraged. Sadly, the United States is preventing it from having any success. It is the only country that can discipline Israel to resolve this conflict diplomatically. Aside from using its United Nations (UN) veto at the Security Council and halting military aid, the United States can pressure Israel by suggesting that this conflict cannot be resolved militarily. If Israel is not pressured, Mikati’s plan is bound for failure, and more importantly, this war may become protracted—risking an escalation that may cause catastrophe for Israel, the Palestinian people, Lebanon, the Middle East, the United States, and the international community.

Zach Battat is a Junior Researcher at the Middle East & Central Asia Research Center (MECARC) and a PhD Candidate in Middle Eastern Studies at Ariel University. His views are his own and do not represent the views of any other institution. If you would like to contact Zach, he can be reached at [email protected].

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