The Ongoing Israeli Invasion in Lebanon and Gaza
The victory of Donald Trump on November 6 has given a new impetus to the Israeli invasion in parallel of Lebanon and Gaza, where the death toll is rising daily. With the possibility of a ceasefire seeming like a dream of the past and awaiting the change in the White House, Israel has escalated its incursion into southern Lebanon, penetrating into what is known as the “second line” of Hezbollah’s defense. Meanwhile, the air force and naval forces are carrying out the most intense bombings in recent weeks in other parts of the country: targeting more objectives, more areas, and conducting multiple rounds per day in Dahiye, the southern suburb of Beirut, something unprecedented. On the deadliest day of the week, Tuesday, the death toll reached 78, and on Thursday, it was 59.
Assassination of Hezbollah’s Media Chief
One of the recent attacks killed Mohamed Afif, the media chief of Hezbollah, as confirmed by the group and the Israeli Army just before midnight. He was the voice of the party-militia in press conferences and led tours for journalists, especially since the beginning of the war. He served as an advisor to Hasan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah for three decades before being assassinated by Israel last September, and he also headed Al Manar, the Shiite party-militia’s television channel. The Israeli Defense Forces referred to him as the “chief propagandist” and accused him of direct involvement in Hezbollah’s terrorist activities.
Israeli military authorities did not issue a warning to evacuate the population before the attack, as they usually do in targeted killings. It was also unusual because it was directed against a civilian official. Most of the leaders killed by Israel belong to the armed branch of Hezbollah. The attack took place in Ras el Nabaa, a neighborhood in Beirut that has absorbed many Shiite refugees from harder-hit areas. It was the first attack in over a month in the capital, which woke up covered in smoke due to the intense bombings in the suburbs in recent days. By the end of the day, another attack in Mar Elias resulted in two deaths, also without prior notice. The Ministry of Education has suspended in-person classes in several areas, including the capital, for the next two days.
36 Lebanese Soldiers Killed
Meanwhile, Israeli troops have reached their deepest point in Lebanon on Saturday, advancing slowly (partly due to the resistance they encounter, despite Hezbollah’s weakness) and demolishing entire villages. The Lebanese militia has also extended its attacks, targeting Haifa (Israel’s third-largest city) for three consecutive days.
A bombing incident claimed the lives of two Lebanese army soldiers who were manning a checkpoint. Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated that the army, which is trying to remain neutral in the conflict, has lost 36 soldiers to Israeli fire. This is the result of Israel’s intensified attacks in recent days in both Gaza and Lebanon, targeting medical personnel, firefighters, and even state Civil Defense workers. On Thursday, in the Bekaa Valley, 15 people were killed in a single attack, and four more were killed in another incident. The death toll has now surpassed 200, representing about 6% of the casualties in Lebanon since October 2023 when Hezbollah initiated a low-intensity conflict (following Hamas’s attack in Israel) that Israel escalated into open warfare almost a year later. The conflict in Lebanon has resulted in 3,481 deaths, 14,786 injuries, and displaced over a million people.
In northern Gaza, the situation involves the expulsion of the population, siege tactics, the use of hunger as a weapon of war, and bombings that have become commonplace in the 13-month conflict. The latest massacre occurred early on Sunday when a missile struck a residential building in Beit Lahiya, claiming the lives of dozens of people and leaving scenes of bodies being retrieved from the rubble.
Emergency services estimate that up to 70 people were inside the destroyed building. Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported 72 fatalities. The Israeli military carried out attacks targeting “terrorist objectives” in Beit Lahiya and announced the deaths of two soldiers in attacks from militant strongholds in the area using urban guerrilla tactics.
Israeli attacks on those safeguarding humanitarian aid are also frequent. On Sunday, a bombing in Khan Yunis resulted in the deaths of five members of the security team protecting one of the convoys, which was subsequently looted by Palestinians.
Conclusion
The ongoing Israeli invasion in Lebanon and Gaza has escalated tensions and resulted in a significant loss of life on both sides. The conflict shows no signs of abating, with civilian casualties mounting and infrastructure being destroyed. The international community must intervene to halt the bloodshed and work towards a lasting peace in the region.
FAQs
1. What has fueled the escalation of the Israeli invasion in Lebanon and Gaza?
The victory of Donald Trump and the subsequent change in the political landscape have contributed to the escalation of the conflict, with both sides engaging in intense military operations.
2. What are the key targets of the Israeli forces in Lebanon and Gaza?
The Israeli forces are targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon and Hamas strongholds in Gaza, leading to a significant loss of life and displacement of civilians.
3. How has the international community responded to the ongoing conflict?
The international community has expressed concern over the escalating violence and called for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of life and destruction.