BEIRUT/HAIFA, Israel – September 22, 2024 – In a significant escalation of hostilities, Israel and Hezbollah engaged in heavy exchanges of fire, marking the most intense conflict between the two since last year. Israeli warplanes conducted extensive bombardments across southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah retaliated by launching rockets deep into northern Israel.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that military operations would persist until conditions are safe for residents evacuated from the north to return home. This assertion raises concerns of a prolonged conflict, particularly as Hezbollah has pledged to continue its fight in solidarity with Palestinians amid ongoing violence in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the severity of their military actions, declaring, “In recent days we have inflicted a series of blows on Hezbollah that it never imagined.” He warned that if Hezbollah did not grasp the gravity of the situation, it soon would.
The hostilities have intensified in recent days following Hezbollah’s decision to open a second front against Israel. This move was framed as a response to the Israeli offensive targeting Gaza, which has seen significant civilian casualties.
On Saturday alone, the Israeli military reported striking approximately 290 targets, including numerous rocket launchers used by Hezbollah. The airstrikes led to the closure of schools in northern Israel, the restriction of public gatherings, and the evacuation of hospital patients and staff to fortified areas.
Israeli air defenses intercepted most of the estimated 150 rockets, cruise missiles, and drones launched at Israel overnight. However, some structures sustained damage, including a house near Haifa, and while several individuals were treated for injuries, no fatalities were reported. Residents were advised to remain close to bomb shelters and secure rooms as air raid sirens blared continuously.
In its response, Hezbollah claimed to have deployed attack drones against Israeli military positions, citing recent Israeli strikes that resulted in casualties among its members as justification for its actions. These strikes, believed to have been conducted by Israel, reportedly resulted in 39 deaths and over 3,000 injuries.
Additionally, an official from the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed groups, reported launching cruise missile and explosive drone strikes against Israel. This development signals a potential expansion of the conflict, with various factions expressing solidarity with Hezbollah in what they describe as a unified support front.
As the situation continues to unfold, both sides remain entrenched in a cycle of retaliation, raising fears of a wider regional conflict. The international community watches closely, with hopes for de-escalation amidst growing tensions.
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