Hezbollah and Israel engaged in significant exchanges of fire over the weekend, with Hezbollah launching rockets deep into northern Israel following one of the most intense bombardments in nearly a year. This escalation marks a dramatic increase in conflict as both sides continue to face mounting tensions.
Hezbollah's New Phase of Conflict
At a funeral for a fallen commander in Beirut, Hezbollah's deputy chief, Naim Qassem, declared, “We have entered a new phase, the title of which is the open-ended battle of reckoning.” This statement underscores Hezbollah's commitment to continue its operations in solidarity with Palestinians affected by the Israeli offensive in Gaza.
Israel's Response and Future Operations
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced that military operations would persist until safety is restored for residents on the Israeli side of the border. He indicated that Hezbollah's vow to fight on complicates the prospect of a swift resolution, especially in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Recent Developments in the Conflict
The recent escalation was triggered by Hezbollah opening a second front against Israel, coinciding with increased violence in Gaza. Last week, an attack that reportedly targeted Hezbollah’s communication devices was attributed to Israel, which remains ambiguous about its involvement. Following this, Israel launched its heaviest strikes on Lebanon to date, resulting in the deaths of several high-ranking Hezbollah leaders.
Continued Attacks and Air Raid Alerts
Israeli forces reported striking approximately 290 targets in Lebanon over the weekend, focusing on Hezbollah's military infrastructure. Air raid sirens sounded consistently in Israel as around 150 rockets and drones were fired overnight, with most intercepted by air defenses.
Civilian Impact and Evacuations
In Israel, schools were closed, and gatherings restricted in northern regions as hospitals relocated patients to safer areas. Residents were advised to stay near bomb shelters amid ongoing threats of rocket fire, which resulted in some damage but no reported fatalities from the recent strikes.
Hezbollah announced it had targeted Israeli positions using drones as part of its retaliation for the previous week’s attacks. Additionally, an Iran-backed group in Iraq claimed to have launched missile strikes on Israel, warning that escalations in Lebanon could provoke further conflict throughout the region.
U.N. special coordinator in Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasscharet, emphasized the need for diplomatic solutions to avoid further catastrophe, while Lebanon’s top Christian cleric, Bechara Boutros al-Rai, expressed sorrow over civilian casualties and urged the U.N. Security Council to intervene.
As the situation continues to unfold, tens of thousands have been displaced on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis linked to the broader conflict in Gaza.
Also Read: Hezbollah Commander Targeted and Killed in Israeli Strike
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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