Israel’s Dahiya Doctrine: Terror and Collective Punishment by Another Name

Destroyed building in Rafah. Photograph Source: International Solidarity Movement – CC BY-SA 2.0

The U.S.-Israel approach to their war on Iran has reminded many observers of Israel’s Dahiya doctrine. The doctrine is named for Beirut’s southern suburb (often spelled Dahieh, which simply means suburb in Arabic), long recognized as a stronghold of the Iran-aligned Shia militia group Hezbollah. “The hills of southern Lebanon have seen more wars between Israel and Arabs than anywhere else in the Middle East...