Israel launches airstrikes in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, escalating tensions and raising fears of a broader regional conflict amid ongoing efforts to negotiate a cease-fire in Gaza.
Israel, Bollywood Fever: Israel launched a series of intense airstrikes in southern Lebanon early Sunday, targeting the Hezbollah militant group in what it described as a pre-emptive strike.
The Israeli military claimed that Hezbollah was preparing to launch a significant barrage of rockets and missiles toward Israel, prompting this aggressive response.
The escalation threatens to spark a broader regional conflict, jeopardizing ongoing efforts to secure a cease-fire in Gaza.
The strikes followed warnings from Israel that Hezbollah had been planning retaliation for the assassination of one of its top commanders, Fouad Shukur, in Beirut last month.
Shortly after the airstrikes, Hezbollah announced it had launched a counterattack, deploying a “large number of drones” aimed at what it described as a “qualitative Israeli military target” and various other sites, including Iron Dome platforms.
The escalating conflict comes as Egypt hosts a new round of negotiations to end Israel’s war against Hamas, now in its 11th month.
Hezbollah has indicated it would consider halting its attacks if a cease-fire is reached.
The situation has drawn the attention of global leaders, with U.S. President Joe Biden closely monitoring the developments.
The National Security Council, through spokesman Sean Savett, reiterated the U.S.’s support for Israel’s right to self-defense while stressing the importance of regional stability.
In anticipation of possible conflict, Israel has moved additional troops to the Lebanese border, reflecting growing concerns of a potential full-scale war that could draw in both the U.S. and Iran.
The Israeli military has warned civilians in Hezbollah-controlled areas in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately to avoid harm.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant are overseeing the military operations from Tel Aviv, with the Security Cabinet set to meet later on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Israel Airports Authority has begun diverting incoming flights and delaying takeoffs at Ben-Gurion International Airport as a precautionary measure.
The ongoing exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah, which began shortly after the outbreak of war with Hamas on October 7, has displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the border.
Despite the escalating violence, both sides had previously managed to avoid a broader conflict, but Sunday’s events mark a significant shift, raising the specter of a full-scale regional war.
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