Israel Strikes Hezbollah Rocket Launchers in Southern Lebanon
In a recent escalation of tensions, Israel has announced that its warplanes have targeted more than 100 Hezbollah rocket launchers and other “terrorist sites” in southern Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the launchers were poised to be fired against Israel, prompting the preemptive strike.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that Israel conducted at least 52 strikes in the south of the country, with Lebanon retaliating by launching strikes on military sites in northern Israel. The ongoing conflict intensified following Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s accusations that Israel’s actions constituted a declaration of war.
The IDF has not officially claimed responsibility for recent attacks in Lebanon, which resulted in casualties and widespread destruction. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized that Israel is entering a “new phase of the war,” focusing efforts on the northern region.
The cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalated after Hezbollah fired at Israeli positions in solidarity with Palestinians following an attack by Hamas gunmen from Gaza. The conflict has led to numerous casualties and displacements on both sides of the border.
Hezbollah, supported by Iran, has aligned itself with Hamas in the conflict. The IDF stated that its recent airstrikes aimed to degrade Hezbollah’s infrastructure and capabilities to defend Israel.
As tensions continue to rise, international leaders, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, have called for restraint and an immediate ceasefire to prevent further escalation of the conflict. The situation remains volatile, with both sides preparing for potential retaliation and further military actions.
