Israel-Hezbollah conflict intensifies

The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) reports that it has launched what it describes as a “pre-emptive” strike against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon – while the Shiite militia group says it has fired more than 320 projectiles into Israel.

Hezbollah confirms it has attacked Israeli targets with hundreds of drones, missiles and rockets in what it says is an act of revenge and a response to the “brutal Zionist aggression” and the killing of senior Hezbollah official Fuad Shuk by Israel in early July.

The group says the “first phase” of the attack is over, but that “the military operation will take time to complete”.

On Sunday morning, Israel also bombed a large number of targets in Lebanon – targets allegedly linked to Shiite militia activity.

“The IDF discovered that the terrorist organization Hezbollah was preparing to fire rockets and missiles at Israel and in response to those threats, the IDF is striking terror in Lebanon”, it said in a statement.

State of emergency in Israel

Israel claims to have destroyed “thousands” of Hezbollah rocket launchers in southern Lebanon, and that about a hundred fighter jets took part in the attacks.

“Most of these launchers were aimed at northern Israel and some at central Israel. More than 40 launching sites in Lebanon were hit during the attacks”, the IDF added.

Israel’s much-criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also called an emergency meeting of the security cabinet, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has declared a two-day state of emergency – a move that gives Israeli authorities greater powers and decision-making authority during the period

Fears of major war

The Israeli military is also urging the people in southern Lebanon to leave their homes: “You are in danger. We are attacking and eliminating threats from Hezbollah”, it says.

Many observers are concerned that the already tense situation is escalating, and many fear that a major regional war involving more actors may now be imminent.

Hezbollah and Israel have been carrying out attacks of varying magnitude against each other for many years, but when Israel invaded Gaza, the militia group decided to significantly increase its attacks in what was described as an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

BREAKING:

Israel is bombing civilian areas in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley for the second night in a row.

This is terrorism. Plain and simple. pic.twitter.com/EUoBKjpt7P

— sarah (@sahouraxo) August 20, 2024

Thank God for the Iron Dome. pic.twitter.com/QywSL2foEq

— Israel ישראל (@Israel) August 25, 2024