Israel Prepares to Quiet Lebanese Front as Hostilities Escalate
Israel announced its plans to bring calm to the Lebanese front after a surge in hostilities on Sunday. Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed group, carried out a cross-border missile attack, injuring civilians, while the Israeli air force responded by bombing sites connected to the group. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the chief Israeli military spokesperson, referred to Hezbollah as “the defender of Hamas-ISIS,” drawing parallels to the Palestinian faction responsible for the recent Gaza war.
Hezbollah, known for its extensive rocket arsenal, has been launching limited attacks in solidarity with the Palestinians. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah described the situation on the Israeli front as “active.” However, Israeli counterstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 70 Hezbollah fighters and several Lebanese civilians, prompting the group to expand its tactics. They have now incorporated rockets with warheads weighing between 300kg and 500kg, as well as kamikaze drones.
On Sunday, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a guided missile attack that wounded two electrical company workers sent to conduct repairs in a border community. The Israeli military reported that seven soldiers were injured in a mortar attack. Additionally, a rocket triggered sirens in Haifa, but caused no casualties. A Lebanese wing of Hamas claimed responsibility for the launch.
In response, Israel carried out airstrikes and artillery strikes on Hezbollah and other targets in Lebanon. They held the group and the Lebanese government accountable for all hostilities. Rear Admiral Hagari stated, “The IDF (military) is focused on Gaza, but we are at a very high state of readiness in the north. Lebanon’s citizens will bear the cost of this recklessness and of Hezbollah’s decision to be the defender of Hamas-ISIS.” He emphasized the IDF’s operational plans for changing the security situation in the north during a televised briefing.
As a result of the escalating situation, residents of villages and towns along the Lebanese border have been evacuating southward, mirroring the emptying of Gaza border communities affected by Hamas attacks. This has led to approximately 250,000 internally displaced Israelis. Many southern Lebanese individuals have also fled northward for safety.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to Iran, a supporter of both Hamas and Hezbollah, to intervene. In an interview on Fareed Zakaria GPS, Guterres stated that he asked Iran to convey to Hezbollah that they cannot escalate the conflict to the point where Lebanon would be completely engulfed. Guterres expressed concerns about the impact of a massive Hezbollah attack on Israel, emphasizing that Lebanon would not survive such a scenario. However, he remained uncertain about Iran’s response, describing their position as mysterious.
The situation on the Lebanese front remains tense, with both Israel and Hezbollah prepared for further escalations.
