Israel launched airstrikes on Lebanon, claiming self-defense after Hezbollah fired around 300 rockets into northern Israel. The conflict escalated following weeks of heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, a militant group based in Lebanon and supported by Iran.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated the tensions across the region to almost a full-scale war, which struck at one of the most serious conflict between the two since the war in Lebanon in 2006. The aggression started when Israel bombarded the southern Lebanon saying that it was a justifiable act after Hezbollah, a Lebanese Militia group, launched approximately 300 rockets into the northern part of The Israel. Both the parties have previously targeted each other but the strife witnessed in this event has raised serious concern involving the International community.
Background and Prelude to the Attacks
The relations between Israel and Hezbollah have been strained for several months mainly due to continuous fighting in Gaza Strip and West Bank. The most sour conflict has been the tendentious Israel-Lebanon border and at times both the Israeli forces and the Hezbollah fighters go to confrontations. The recent escalation started following heated events which include Hezbollah firing rockets towards the Israeli territory. Hezbollah stated it had to carry out the attack due to Israel continued assault on what it refers to as Palestinian militant groups in the area, besides, its aggressive airstrikes in Syria, a country in which it focuses mainly on Hezbollah and Iranian allies.
According to some sources, it was said that the Hezbollah’s rocket attacks were only a message of deterrent power to give a message to the Israel saying ‘Do not dare to invade Lebanon or its territories or Hezbollah’s interests’. While these attacks are within a broader Israeli view of a Sunni-Shiite wars phenomenon, Israel felts that this was an immediate and clear and direct threat to its security requiring a military response.
Details of the Israeli Airstrikes
To this the Israelis responded by launching a vicious round of air strikes that sought to hit the Hezbollah machinery across the length and breadth of southern Lebanon. While the IDF promised to cause severe damage to Hezbollah in the 2006 war, the latter said it managed to suffer merely forty of its fighters. The IDF claimed that these attacks were planned to ensure minimal or no civilian loss and its main aim was to strike the Iranian-Hezbollah Assets to weaken them without triggering conflict escalation.
The Israeli ground operations entailed use of guided missiles that target specific areas after taking intelligence of the areas. Among the targets were buildings which according to IDF were used for storing long-range missiles capable to reach deep into Israeli territory, positions on the border with Lebanon where the first rocket attacks had been launched from.
Hezbollah’s Response with 300 Rockets
Hezbollah reciprocated through a highly powerful rocket assault launching roughly 300 rockets in the northern part of Israel. This was considered one of the most serious hikes of rocket since 2006 Lebanon war. These rockets affected different areas including Nahariya, Kiryat Shmona and Metula wherein some exposed houses and buildings were razed down.
But, most of these rockets were shot down by the Israel’s Iron Dome missile shield which has been said to save lives and reduce losses. The Secretary of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah whilst acknowledging that the rocket fire was a proportionate counterattack to Israeli aggression said his forces would retaliate more fiercely should the Israelis strike deeper into Lebanon warning that the next strikes may reach ‘strategic assets’ within its borders.
Regional and International Implications
The flare up has far reaching repercussions on the stability of the region. Lebanon is in the middle of a deadly economic crisis, political upheavals, and the Beirut port blast that happened in 2020. Hence, an escalation with Israel could deepen instability in the country, thus making it difficult to solve the problems within. Hezbollah is a very influential military faction within Lebanon; however, it receives criticism within its own country for dragging Lebanon into fights that do nothing for Lebanon’s internal concerns.
Globally, the conflict has elicited immediate calls for calm especially among the leadership. The UN and the US together with France and Russia have urged both Cambodian and Thai sides to cease provoking actions which may lead to war. Instead, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), peacekeeping force has enhanced its patrols, and has called on both sides to avoid provocative acts that may cause more violence.
Current Situation and Outlook
we still have what can be called Cold War like conditions, since the two parties refrain from carrying out an all out aggression against the other. The current government in Israel has warned time and again that it shall not allow rocket attacks on its civilians and is ready to act without warning in case of threats. Hezbollah on the other hand maintains its posture as the protector of Lebanon against Israeli attacks while demonstrating its military might to both the Israeli side and the Lebanese people.
The risk therefore for further escalation could still be said to be high especially if either party blunders or if other players especially Iran and other proxies from across the region join the fray. Efforts are still being made to tame the aggression in order to avoid an open war, however due to the high tension any event might turn fatal thus dragging the region into an extensive war with disastrous implications. The international community remains very attentive to the situation and wants to be able to intervene at least in the hope of reaching some kind of a reduction of hostilities before a point of no return is reached.
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