On Thursday night, Israeli warplanes carried out their strongest attacks on southern Lebanon in almost a year, increasing the already tense conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The White House emphasized the need for a diplomatic solution, and Britain called for an immediate ceasefire. The U.S. expressed concerns about the situation escalating, according to White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre.
The latest attacks follow events earlier in the week when Lebanon and Hezbollah accused Israel of blowing up communication devices, such as radios and pagers, which led to the deaths of 37 people and injuries to 3,000 others. During Thursday’s operations, Israel’s military said its jets targeted rocket launchers in southern Lebanon that were ready to fire at Israel. The strikes lasted two hours and hit over 50 areas, according to Lebanon’s state news agency.
Although there were no immediate reports of deaths from the Thursday strikes, Israel has vowed to keep attacking Hezbollah. Israeli forces said they targeted over 100 rocket launchers during the day. In a TV speech, Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, condemned the earlier explosions of communication devices, calling them a crossing of all moral boundaries and potentially even war crimes.
Hezbollah and many others believe Israel’s Mossad, known for conducting operations abroad, was behind the explosions, although Israel has not officially commented on these claims. The Lebanese government has brought the issue to the United Nations Security Council, accusing Israel of planting explosives in the communication devices.
As tensions escalate, both sides are feeling the pressure. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has stated that Israel will continue its military actions against Hezbollah and warned that Hezbollah will suffer increasing consequences. On the other hand, Nasrallah has said that if Israeli troops enter southern Lebanon, it will be a golden opportunity for Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have expressed their support for Hezbollah, warning Israel of serious consequences if the conflict continues.
In the midst of this, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with top officials to discuss the ongoing situation, while the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, called for restraint, urging all parties to avoid actions that could further complicate the search for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The attacks on communication devices have caused widespread fear in Lebanon. Many people are avoiding using electronic gadgets, worried that they could be carrying explosives. According to Nasrallah, thousands of pagers were targeted, with explosions occurring in crowded places, including hospitals and markets. Israel, on the other hand, sees its battle against Hezbollah, like its conflict with Hamas in Gaza, as part of a larger struggle against Iran, which supports both groups along with others in Syria, Yemen, and Iraq.
The situation has led to heavy casualties on both sides, and while full-scale war has not yet erupted, the ongoing exchanges of fire have forced thousands of people to leave the border regions. Both Israel and Hezbollah continue to prepare for a possible escalation, with each side determined to defend its interests.
The broader conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is linked to a wider regional struggle involving Iran and its network of allied militant groups. Both Israel and Hezbollah are deeply entrenched in this conflict, making it difficult to predict how the situation will evolve. For now, the world watches as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent the violence from spiraling further.
