On Thursday, Israeli warplanes pummeled Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. The rockets were headed straight for Israeli territory, as were the rocket launchers which the IDF said have been destroyed. More than 100 rocket launchers and around 1,000 barrels were destroyed in the process. Attacks come days after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah threatened to retaliate after some of the attacks had damaged the group’s communication equipment. The situation has alarmed fears of a wider conflict in the region.
Israeli War Planes Hit Hezbollah Rockets
The Israeli military said its airstrikes hit more than 100 ready-to-use rocket launchers that were meant for use against Israel. The attacks are reportedly part of efforts by Israel to stop the bombardments at its hands by Hezbollah. The IDF says that these rocket launchers were a direct threat to the safety of Israel.
Hezbollah Leader Threatens Revenge
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah threatened “tough retribution” after Israeli airstrikes that allegedly hit Hezbollah’s communication tools. Explosives were concealed inside pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah. The explosives detonated several blasts. Nasrallah labeled it a ‘red line’ that Israel crossed, warning that he would retaliate with intensity.
White House Pushes For Diplomacy
Reacting to heightened violence, a call for a peaceful solution came in from the White House, with the assertion that this is critical in preventing a wide war in the Middle East. It has set off all alarm bells around the globe and is calling for immediate de-escalation.
Lebanon Blames Israel For Explosions
Lebanese authorities said that Israel was behind the bombings in Lebanon, where explosions were set to communication devices such as pagers and radios. Lebanon sent a letter to the United Nations asserting that it was responsible for the attacks. This has further worsened the situation of strained relationships between the two countries.
Global Leaders Call For Recklessness
International community is concerned as violence is rising. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the officials in France called for restraint on both Israel and Hezbollah. They feared that it would escalate into a bigger Middle East conflict if violence continued.
New Phase Of War
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared Israel to be at a ‘new phase’ within its continuous war against Hezbollah. The conflict has continued for 11 months, raised its level of violence to one of the most oppressive periods both parties have ever gone through in years, and brought many to fear it could become a full-scale war.
Casualties From Bombings Are Heavy
So far, the recent attacks in Lebanon have been very destructive. Reports indicate that 37 were killed and about 3,000 were injured due to massive explosions in Hezbollah controlled areas, causing a growing concern for more violence as both sides continue to keep attacking.
The Middle East is at the very top of tensions, with Israeli airstrikes and threats of retaliation from Hezbollah. World leaders are urging diplomacy, but it doesn’t seem far from a full-scale war. It’s tense, indeed, and people wish that this conflict would solve itself peacefully.
