News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/25th August 2024
In a significant military operation, approximately 100 Israeli fighter jets launched airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon on Sunday. The strikes, described by Israel as a pre-emptive measure, focused on destroying thousands of rocket launcher barrels belonging to the militant group. According to Tel Aviv, the objective was to prevent an imminent Hezbollah attack on northern Israel, as tensions between the two sides continue to escalate.
Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant organization, responded by claiming it had fired 320 rockets and drones at 11 Israeli military installations. This exchange of hostilities marks a dangerous escalation in the already volatile Middle East, where the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza has been raging for over ten months.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his government’s commitment to defending the nation, stating, “Whoever harms us, we harm him.” This declaration underscores Israel’s determination to take decisive action against any perceived threats to its security.
The airstrikes reportedly targeted 40 launch areas in southern Lebanon. Netanyahu emphasized that the operation aimed to protect Israel’s northern residents and maintain a policy of retaliation against any attacks. The situation has further strained the already fragile peace in the region, raising concerns about the potential for a broader conflict involving multiple actors, including Iran.
Hezbollah’s actions were framed as retaliation for the recent killing of Fouad Shukur, one of its founding members, in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. The group’s involvement in this conflict threatens to draw in additional regional players, particularly Iran, which has its own grievances against Israel, including the killing of its operatives and a strike on its embassy in Syria earlier this year.
The ongoing hostilities also jeopardize efforts to establish a ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel has been engaged in a prolonged conflict with Hamas. Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, has indicated that it would cease its attacks if a ceasefire is reached between Israel and Hamas. However, the current escalation could derail any potential peace talks.
As a precaution, air raid sirens were activated throughout northern Israel, and Ben-Gurion International Airport temporarily diverted incoming flights and delayed takeoffs. While flights resumed later, the situation remains tense, with the possibility of further escalations.
The United States, through National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett, expressed its support for Israel’s right to defend itself, with President Joe Biden closely monitoring the developments in Israel and Lebanon.
Last week, Israel began mobilizing troops toward the Lebanese border, anticipating a potential large-scale attack by Hezbollah. The Israeli military has warned Lebanese civilians in Hezbollah-controlled areas to evacuate immediately to avoid harm.
Hezbollah, which fought Israel to a stalemate in the 2006 Lebanon War, is now believed to be significantly more powerful, with an estimated 150,000 rockets capable of striking anywhere in Israel. This increased capability adds to the already high stakes of the conflict, with the potential for a more extensive and destructive war.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides showing no signs of backing down. The international community watches closely, aware that any further escalation could have far-reaching consequences for the entire region.
