The Institute for National Security Studies, an independent think tank dealing with Middle East strategic affairs, stated that, "Although Israel has the ability to eliminate Hezbollah's military force, it is highly desirable that it avoid this move due to the expected high price of the war for Israel and Lebanon alike, and because it is uncertain who will take over Lebanon on 'the day after.'"
"Thus, Western countries, especially the US and France, as well as the rich Gulf states that gave up on Lebanon, play an important role in continuing to exert political-economic pressure on Hezbollah, while mobilizing to halt its complete takeover of the Lebanese state," it wrote on its social media page.