Hezbollah militants fired dozens of rockets into northern Israel from Lebanon on Wednesday, in what they said was retaliation for an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon overnight. The exchange of fire comes amidst escalating tensions in the region, with pro-Palestinian protesters in Jordan calling for the government to sever ties with Israel.
The Israeli military reported targeting a “significant terrorist operative” near the town of al-Habbariyeh in southern Lebanon, which Lebanon’s Ministry of Health denounced as “unacceptable” after seven paramedics were killed in the strike. In response, Hezbollah launched 30 rockets into Israel, resulting in casualties, including the death of a 25-year-old person in Kiryat Shmona.
The ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israeli forces has been fueled by the recent war in Gaza, where Hamas, another Iranian-backed group, has been engaging in attacks against Israel. The United States has been involved in efforts to broker a cease-fire, with a recent U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a pause in the fighting during the remaining weeks of Ramadan.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed frustration over the U.S. decision to abstain from the vote on the resolution, accusing Hamas of taking advantage of international pressure to continue their attacks. The U.S. has since expressed willingness to reschedule a meeting with Israeli officials to discuss the planned offensive in Rafah, despite previous cancellations.
As the conflict continues to escalate, human rights groups have reported an intensification of Israeli bombardments in Gaza, resulting in dozens of casualties. The situation remains volatile, with both sides showing no signs of backing down in the ongoing violence.
