Escalating Tensions: Israel Launches Major Airstrikes in Southern Lebanon Amid Hezbollah Retaliation
On Thursday evening, the Israeli army executed one of its most significant bombing campaigns in southern Lebanon since the onset of the Gaza invasion. This operation occurred just hours after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's speech, in which he characterized recent Israeli strikes as a 'declaration of war.' The violence has since resulted in 37 fatalities and thousands of injuries, prompting Nasrallah to pledge retribution, though he refrained from detailing specific actions.
Beginning in the late afternoon and intensifying after 9 PM local time, Israeli jets targeted 52 locations, destroying approximately a hundred Hezbollah launching sites. Known both as a formidable military force and a political entity, Hezbollah faced substantial damage in these airstrikes. The Israeli army claimed the bombing aimed at preemptively dismantling launching sites to thwart potential rocket fire towards Israel.
During Nasrallah's address, attendees in Beirut heard loud explosions reverberating in the background as Israeli military aircraft flew overhead at supersonic speeds. The bombing campaign appeared to focus primarily on military assets, including weapon depots housing an estimated thousand rockets.
Responding to Israel's offensive, Hezbollah asserted that it had launched 17 attacks on the northern region of Israel. Israeli city Metulla's Mayor David Azoulay reported that these rockets struck several homes, leading to significant damage and fires. Additionally, Hezbollah’s assaults resulted in the casualties of two Israeli soldiers and injuries to nine others due to drone strikes and antitank missiles.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant indicated that the military's actions against Hezbollah would persist, stating, 'Our goal is to allow the residents of the northern cities to return to their homes. Hezbollah will pay an increasingly high price.' The ongoing conflict has led to the displacement of over 160,000 individuals from urban areas near the border as hostilities have escalated.
The U.S. government has expressed apprehension regarding the potential for further escalation, with White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre advocating for a diplomatic resolution. In a related development, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy reiterated advisories for British nationals to leave Lebanon due to intensifying tensions.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron engaged in conversations with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and certain Lebanese political figures. Macron emphasized the necessity of avoiding war and expressed solidarity with the Lebanese populace via a message on social media.
In light of these developments, the UN Security Council is scheduled to convene on Friday to examine unconventional attacks that occurred earlier in the week. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has called for an end to what he termed Israel's 'technological war.' Despite ongoing speculations regarding Israel's involvement in these incidents, including the use of beepers and walkie-talkies, there has been no official acknowledgment from the Israeli government, although unnamed intelligence sources have provided confirmation to various media outlets.
As the situation continues to unfold, analysts remain focused on the implications of these escalations, particularly how they may affect regional stability and diplomatic efforts moving forward.
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