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Intensified Conflict Between Israel and Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon

Israel has reported conducting significant military operations in southern Lebanon, targeting over 100 rocket launchers and various sites described as “terrorist infrastructure,” including a weapons storage facility. This escalation follows ongoing tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) indicated that these launchers were prepared for imminent attacks against Israel. However, initial reports do not confirm whether there were any casualties resulting from these strikes.

According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, Israel executed at least 52 airstrikes in the southern region of Lebanon on Thursday evening, and in response, Lebanon reportedly targeted military installations in northern Israel.

Earlier in the week, Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah voiced strong condemnation of Israel’s actions, claiming they represented a severe breach of acceptable conduct and amounted to a declaration of war. He pointed to deadly explosions reported earlier that have claimed numerous lives in Lebanon, declaring the attacks crossed all boundaries of engagement.

Though Israel has not officially taken responsibility for these explosions—an event characterized by the rapid detonation of pagers and walkie-talkies across the nation—Lebanese authorities confirm that 37 individuals were killed and approximately 3,000 were injured in related incidents on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a “new phase of the war” focused primarily on operations in the north, indicating a shift in strategy following the violence that erupted on October 8, 2023, in response to an unprecedented assault by Hamas from Gaza.

This recent flare-up has intensified cross-border confrontations, which have led to the deaths of hundreds, primarily Hezbollah fighters, and forced tens of thousands of residents to flee their homes along both sides of the border.

Hezbollah maintains that it operates in solidarity with Hamas, both groups sharing Iranian backing and being designated as terrorist organizations by several countries, including Israel and the UK.

In its latest statement, the IDF emphasized the extensive nature of its airstrikes, targeting roughly 100 launchers and a significant amount of munitions poised for immediate use against Israel. The IDF reaffirmed its commitment to weaken Hezbollah’s operational capabilities as part of its defense strategy.

Reports from Lebanese security sources, cited by Reuters and the New York Times, describe the recent Israeli attacks as among the most concentrated since the onset of last year’s conflict in Gaza.

As tensions escalated, the IDF advised residents in northern Israel, particularly those near the Lebanese border, to refrain from gathering in large groups, take protective measures, and remain close to bomb shelters.

On Thursday morning, fighting resumed as Hezbollah launched two anti-tank missiles and drones across the border, resulting in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and wounding another severely.

During a televised address, Nasrallah condemned the Israeli strikes, characterizing them as war crimes and an egregious violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty. He confirmed that while the attacks inflicted substantial damage on Hezbollah, the group’s operational integrity remained intact.

Moreover, Nasrallah conveyed a resolute stance, asserting that cross-border operations would persist unless a ceasefire in Gaza is established. He underscored that ongoing violence would not lead to the return of displaced residents to northern Israel.

In conjunction with these developments, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, the IDF’s chief of staff, has reportedly finalized plans for an expanded military strategy in the northern region.

Israel’s Defense Minister later identified both opportunities and risks in this “new phase of the war,” suggesting that the escalating military actions would likely continue to affect Hezbollah’s operational capabilities. He articulated a commitment to ensuring the safety of communities in northern Israel, promising that Hezbollah would incur increasing costs as hostilities persist.

Though the precise tactics Israel intends to employ remain ambiguous, earlier reports indicate a potential strategy involving the creation of a buffer zone in southern Lebanon under Israeli control.

Amid the unfolding crisis, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged all parties to exercise restraint, expressing concern that escalatory actions could hinder efforts to facilitate a ceasefire in Gaza. He made these remarks while participating in discussions with European foreign ministers in Paris focused on managing the widening conflict.

Source
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