Israel launched its most intense air strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon since their 2006 conflict, marking a deadly escalation in the ongoing tensions between the two. On Monday, these strikes resulted in at least 492 deaths, including 35 children, with over 1,600 people wounded, according to Lebanese officials. Most casualties occurred in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, both of which are strongholds for the Iran-backed Hezbollah. In response, Hezbollah fired rocket salvos into northern Israel, attacking multiple sites. The Israeli government justified the air strikes as a necessary response to nearly a year of missile and drone attacks by Hezbollah.
Hezbollah began its cross-border attacks shortly after the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza erupted in October, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian group. As the fighting intensifies, Hezbollah has vowed to continue its attacks unless a ceasefire is reached in Gaza, a possibility that remains remote due to stalled negotiations. The increasing violence has caused widespread panic in Lebanon, with civilians fleeing to Beirut. In southern Lebanon, schools and government buildings are now serving as shelters for those displaced by the conflict.
The Lebanese healthcare system, already struggling due to the country’s political and economic crises, is overwhelmed. Health Minister Firas Abiad said that over 5,000 people had been treated in just a week, nearly half of the total number treated during the 34-day Israel-Hezbollah war in 2006. With hospitals unable to cope, Lebanon has urgently requested international medical aid.
Israel’s military announced that it had struck approximately 1,600 Hezbollah targets, including command centers, rocket launchers, and infrastructure. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that Israel’s goal is to significantly weaken Hezbollah’s capabilities and force them to retreat from the border, facilitating the return of displaced Israeli civilians to northern regions. Tens of thousands of Lebanese have also fled southward, adding to the mounting humanitarian crisis.
The conflict has drawn global concern. The U.S., European, and Arab governments have urged caution, fearing that further escalation could ignite a broader regional conflict. U.S. officials have reportedly advised Israel to avoid more aggressive military action to prevent the involvement of Iran, Hezbollah’s key backer. Meanwhile, Iran has signaled its willingness to de-escalate, provided Israel does the same.
French President Emmanuel Macron has dispatched his special envoy to Beirut, while Saudi Arabia issued warnings about the risks of spreading violence throughout the region. Netanyahu, scheduled to address the UN this week, has accused Iran of continuing to arm Hezbollah and other militant groups in the region, further complicating the potential for peace.
In a further development, several Hezbollah communication devices, including pagers and walkie-talkies, exploded in Lebanon days before the strikes. While Hezbollah and Iran blamed Israel for the incident, the Israeli government has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility.
Ground Invasion: A Possibility?
Though Israel’s focus has been on air strikes, the possibility of a ground invasion remains. While one Israeli official suggested that the aerial campaign may be sufficient, the U.S. has taken Israel’s military preparations seriously. The U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been in constant contact with his Israeli counterpart, emphasizing the importance of finding a diplomatic solution to break the cycle of violence. In the meantime, the Pentagon has announced the deployment of a small number of additional U.S. troops to the region, signaling heightened concern over the conflict’s escalation.
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