Beirut, Lebanon – The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated dramatically, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claiming to have thwarted a major Hezbollah attack. Israeli airstrikes are being launched across Lebanon, while Hezbollah retaliates, including an attempt to strike Tel Aviv with ballistic missiles.
According to the IDF, Hezbollah was plotting an infiltration into northern Israel, in a manner reminiscent of the deadly Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. The alleged plan involved Hezbollah fighters targeting civilians in the Galilee region, aiming to kill and take hostages. Israeli military officials claim they uncovered the plot in time and launched pre-emptive strikes on Hezbollah’s positions across Lebanon.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the IDF, said the mastermind behind this plan was Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Akil. Akil, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on September 20 in Beirut, was a key figure in Hezbollah’s military wing. The US had previously accused Akil of involvement in the 1983 bombing of the US embassy in Beirut, which killed 63 people. The IDF’s attack reportedly targeted multiple Hezbollah installations, aiming to dismantle the group’s ability to launch similar operations.
The Israeli military claims its strikes have neutralised hundreds of Hezbollah positions, although Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports that ordinary civilians are among the casualties of these bombings. The humanitarian cost continues to rise, with several areas, including Lebanon’s capital Beirut, under heavy bombardment.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah has responded with aggression. The group has launched a missile aimed at Tel Aviv, claiming it was in retaliation for the destruction caused by Israel, including a blast that targeted Hezbollah members in Lebanon.
As both sides declare a ‘full-fledged war,’ the intensity of airstrikes, missile launches, and ground clashes continues to mount, with no immediate end in sight.
This latest development marks a significant escalation in an already volatile region, leaving the international community watching with growing concern. The possibility of further infiltration attempts, coupled with ongoing bombardments, heightens fears of a broader conflict engulfing neighbouring nations in the Middle East.
Both Israel and Hezbollah seem entrenched in their positions, with Israel determined to neutralise Hezbollah’s military capabilities and Hezbollah vowing retaliation for the recent airstrikes. How this will unfold remains to be seen, but the stakes continue to rise as violence rages across Lebanon and northern Israel.
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