In a significant escalation of violence, Israel has launched multiple air strikes on Lebanon following the firing of rockets from Lebanese territory into Israel. This series of attacks marks the most severe violence since a ceasefire was brokered in November, aimed at ending over a year of conflict between Israel and the Iranian-backed militia, Hezbollah.
The Israeli military reported that it targeted dozens of rocket launchers and a command center linked to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Tragically, Lebanon's health ministry confirmed that three individuals, including a child, were killed and eight others injured as a result of these strikes. Despite the attacks, no group has claimed responsibility for the rocket fire that initiated this confrontation.
Despite the ongoing violence, Hezbollah, the most powerful armed group in Lebanon, has publicly stated that it had no involvement in the rocket attacks and reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire. This development places additional strain on a fragile truce that was established with the facilitation of the United States and France. The ceasefire had aimed to halt hostilities that had persisted for over a year.
Israel's recent military actions come just days after it intensified its offensive against Hamas, an ally of Hezbollah, in the Gaza Strip. Early on Saturday, the Israeli military successfully intercepted three rockets aimed at the northern town of Metula, with no reported casualties. Following this, Israel executed a first wave of air strikes on Saturday morning, followed by a second wave later in the evening.
In response to the escalating violence, the Lebanese military announced the dismantling of three primitive rocket launchers in the southern region. Lebanon's defense minister confirmed that an investigation into the rocket attacks had commenced. This response underscores the ongoing challenge faced by the Lebanese army as it attempts to assert control over southern areas traditionally dominated by Hezbollah.
Amid rising tensions, Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun emphasized that only the state should possess arms, implicitly referencing Hezbollah’s extensive arsenal. He condemned attempts to involve Lebanon in further violence, while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned that the ongoing escalation could lead to yet another war. The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, known as Unifil, expressed alarm over the potential for further violence and urged both Israel and Lebanon to adhere to their commitments under the ceasefire agreement.
The backdrop of this conflict includes a devastating Israeli air campaign that has resulted in approximately 4,000 deaths in Lebanon, primarily among civilians, alongside the displacement of over 1.2 million residents. Israel's stated objective has been to create conditions for the safe return of around 60,000 displaced individuals from northern communities affected by Hezbollah's actions.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community remains focused on the need for stable governance in Lebanon, with many partners indicating that assistance will be contingent upon the government's ability to curb the influence of Hezbollah, the most dominant military faction in the country. The current crisis reflects the ongoing complexities and challenges facing Lebanon as it navigates a precarious political and security landscape.
