Israeli election: Lebanon expects little change in Israeli policy

Well, the results may still be coming in, but no matter what the final tally is, it is sure to have an impact outside of Israel, including in Lebanon. Much of the south of the country has been destroyed, despite what's technically an ongoing ceasefire with Hezbollah. For more, we're going to cross to Renee Davis, our correspondent in Beirut. Hi, Renee. So tell us more about how Lebanese media and civil society have been reacting to the elections in Israel. Hi. So here in Lebanon, I think as these elections are ongoing, we have a sort of cautious hope, but deep distrust amongst many Lebanese here. You know, local media says that there might be a more pragmatic chance to negotiate with Israel if Isaac Not does, Isaac Not wins this election. however you know it's also very important to remember that this candidate has a long military history you know whether that is being part of Netanyahu's war cabinet at the start of the war in Gaza or even playing one of the main roles in developing the Dahiya doctrine um in 2006 here in Lebanon after the war here in 2006 um and the Dahiya doctrine is the Israeli military tactic to, you know, vast civilian destruction in order to achieve their military goals. Now, on top of this, we also have been seeing, you know, a lot of video circulating from Israeli voters, far-right Israeli voters, you know, not only calling for territorial expansion in Lebanon, but also in Jordan and in Syria. Now, this, of course, has sparked huge outrage in Lebanon. You know, it's all over social media. and also causing quite a lot of fear. Renee, this all, of course, comes as well amid the risk of imminent escalation in southern Lebanon. So how is that possibility factoring into reactions there? Well, you know, word on the street is not if an escalation happens, but more when. You know, that's a sad reality here in Lebanon that we're facing. You know, some experts in local media say that the escalation could happen after the elections in Israel once the political scene is a bit more clear. And others say it might happen more likely after the midterms in the U.S. in early November, following Trump's imminent threats on Iran and whether Hezbollah will open another support front. We're also, you know, just this morning, actually, I was in Beirut's southern suburbs. I spoke to an army officer there. And when I asked him what he thought about the election, he shrugged his shoulders and told me, what does it really matter? You know, as a Lebanese army soldier, he is paid a few hundred dollars a month. His government is urging for negotiations with Israel. But the common sentiment on the ground is to not have direct talks with Israel out of purpose of, you know, fighting back against the invader. and Hezbollah refuses still to totally disarm. So he says, what does it change? You know, my country is on its knees through humanitarian crisis, economic crisis. Lebanon can absolutely not take another war. So I think, you know, the testimony from this soldier is very telling of the general sentiment that is here in Lebanon as we speak. Renee Davis, our correspondent in Lebanon. Thank you very much.