Hezbollah launches attacks on Israeli troops amid rising tensions
- In Reports
- 11:17 AM, Oct 09, 2024
- Myind Staff
In series of attacks and hustle in ongoing war, Hezbollah militants targeted Israeli soldiers near the Lebanese village of Labbouneh using artillery and rocket fire. This escalation follows Israel's announcement that it had killed two key successors to Hezbollah's former leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
The Iran-backed group has been launching attacks against Israel for the past year, coinciding with the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Recently, Hezbollah claimed to have pushed back Israeli forces during ground clashes, signalling a significant escalation in hostilities.
The ongoing conflict has raised concerns about a broader regional confrontation, potentially involving Iran and the United States, Israel's main ally. The Israeli military reported that three soldiers were seriously injured during recent combat operations in southern Lebanon. Sirens were activated in northern Israel on Wednesday morning as the Israeli military resumed airstrikes on southern Beirut, a known stronghold of Hezbollah.
Tensions in Lebanon have surged in recent weeks as Israel has conducted targeted killings of senior Hezbollah leaders and expanded ground operations. An Israeli military spokesperson did not specify the number of troops deployed in Lebanon, but it has been confirmed that four divisions are involved, indicating a substantial military presence in the area.
In a recent airstrike, Israel claimed to have killed Suhail Hussein Husseini, a key figure in Hezbollah's budgeting and logistics. Many residents of Beirut's southern suburbs have evacuated due to Israeli warnings, raising fears that the area may face devastation similar to what has been seen in Gaza.
U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the ongoing situation, including any potential actions against Iran. The Middle East remains on edge after an Iranian missile attack on Israel last week, which resulted in no casualties but was perceived as a warning from Tehran.
The recent bombardments in Lebanon have resulted in over 2,100 deaths, primarily in the last two weeks, and displaced approximately 1.2 million people. Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli airstrikes had killed two key figures associated with Hezbollah, including one identified as Hashem Safieddine. However, the status of Safieddine remains unclear.
Hezbollah's deputy leader, Naim Qassem, acknowledged the group's challenges but asserted that its capabilities remain strong. He also indicated support for efforts to achieve a ceasefire, without linking it explicitly to a cessation of hostilities in Gaza, which has been a previous condition for Hezbollah.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller remarked that Hezbollah's willingness to discuss a ceasefire suggests the group is under pressure on the battlefield. As the most heavily armed of Iran's proxy forces, Hezbollah continues to support Palestinian militants in their fight against Israel. The ongoing conflict, ignited by Hamas's attack on southern Israel a year ago, has now expanded to Lebanon, leading to heightened confrontations between Israel and Iran.
Iran's recent missile strike on October 1 and its warnings against Israeli retaliation signal an increasingly volatile situation, with Tehran promising to respond to any attacks on its infrastructure.
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