Israel and Hezbollah have entered a new phase of intense conflict, exchanging heavy fire as Israeli warplanes conducted the most extensive bombardment of southern Lebanon in nearly a year.
The Israeli military reported striking around 290 targets on Saturday, including thousands of Hezbollah rocket launchers, and pledged to continue its operations against the Iran-backed group.
Hezbollah responded by launching a barrage of rockets into northern Israel, with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) stating that 105 rockets were fired overnight. While many were intercepted, some struck homes, prompting air raid sirens to sound throughout the night.
This escalation follows last week’s deadly attack on Hezbollah communication devices, which left 39 people dead and thousands wounded in Lebanon. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah condemned the attacks, vowing “just punishment” for what he termed Israeli aggression.
In response to the heightened tensions, the IDF has imposed new restrictions on gatherings in northern Israel, limiting public meetings to ten participants outdoors and one hundred indoors. Educational activities can continue as long as protective measures are in place.
As fears mount of a broader conflict, the US State Department has advised citizens to leave Lebanon while commercial travel options remain available, with similar guidance issued by Jordanian officials.
The current conflict’s roots trace back to October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack on Israel. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant stated that Israel’s focus is shifting towards northern operations, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
Reports indicate that Hezbollah targeted the Israeli Ramat David Airbase with missile strikes, marking a significant escalation in the hostilities.
Meanwhile, Iranian-backed Iraqi militants claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Israel, further complicating the security landscape in the region.
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