Hezbollah has intensified its attacks on Israeli positions, launching explosive drones and missiles, while Israeli air strikes have targeted towns and villages in south Lebanon. The violence has reached a critical point at the Lebanon-Israel border, with casualties reported on both sides.
According to local officials, an Israeli air strike on the town of Aitaroun resulted in the destruction of five homes and numerous damages. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported due to what was described as “divine intervention.” However, three women and two men sustained injuries. Hezbollah politician Hassan Fadlallah stated that Israeli air strikes marked a “new escalation,” prompting the group to respond with unconventional attacks and targeting different sites.
The Israeli army confirmed the interception of “suspicious aerial targets” that crossed from Lebanon. Two soldiers were moderately wounded, and several others suffered minor injuries from shrapnel and smoke inhalation. In response, Israeli fighter jets carried out a series of extensive strikes on Hezbollah terror targets within Lebanese territory. Sirens sounded at various locations along the border in Israel, causing panic among residents.
In Beirut, witnesses observed what appeared to be two warplanes leaving vapor trails in the sky. The ongoing conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah has intensified since the outbreak of the war in Gaza two months ago, representing their most severe hostilities since the 2006 conflict. Hezbollah claims that its attacks are aimed at supporting Palestinians in Gaza, where a significant number of casualties, mostly women and children, have been reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that if Hezbollah were to initiate an all-out war, Beirut would suffer a fate similar to that of Gaza. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed concern over the escalating tensions, stating that the potential for a miscalculation triggering a wider conflict is increasing.
Hezbollah announced several attacks, including the launch of explosive drones at an Israeli command position near Ya’ara. Additionally, the group fired Burkan (Volcano) missiles, carrying hundreds of kilograms of explosives. Israeli air strikes were also reported near the Lebanese village of Yaroun, resulting in broken windows in nearby Rmeich. The violence at the border has claimed over 120 lives in Lebanon, including 85 Hezbollah fighters and 16 civilians. In Israel, seven soldiers and four civilians have been killed.
As the situation continues to escalate, the international community remains concerned about the potential for further violence and the devastating impact it could have on the region. The conflict serves as a reminder of the deep-rooted tensions between Lebanon and Israel and the complex dynamics at play in the Middle East.
