By G. Mudalige, Jadetimes Staff
G. Mudalige is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Technology & Innovation
Israel has launched extensive air strikes on southern Lebanon, targeting more than 100 Hezbollah rocket launchers and other sites, including a weapons storage facility. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported the launchers were prepared for attacks against Israel, though no casualties were confirmed. This marks one of the most intense escalations since cross-border clashes began in October 2023 following Hezbollah's involvement in solidarity with Hamas during the Gaza conflict.
The airstrikes, conducted over two hours, were met with Hezbollah's retaliation targeting military sites in northern Israel, further intensifying the hostilities. Israel's defense minister, Yoav Gallant, described this as a "new phase of the war," with Israel focusing more efforts on the northern front. The IDF urged residents in northern Israel to remain close to shelters and avoid large gatherings as tensions continued to rise.
Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, condemned the attacks, calling them a breach of red lines and likening them to a declaration of war. He referred to recent explosions across Lebanon, which killed dozens and injured thousands, accusing Israel of committing war crimes. Israel has not confirmed involvement in these attacks, but Nasrallah's defiant tone indicated that Hezbollah would continue its cross-border strikes unless there was a ceasefire in Gaza.
Meanwhile, IDF Chief of Staff Lt Gen Herzi Halevi approved plans for intensified military operations in northern Israel. The possibility of creating an Israeli-controlled buffer zone in southern Lebanon was also discussed, aiming to safeguard Israel's northern communities. However, questions remain about how this goal would be achieved amid escalating conflict.
International efforts to de-escalate the situation are underway, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy calling for restraint. Lammy emphasized the need for a ceasefire to ensure the safe return of residents on both sides of the border, underscoring the urgent need for a political resolution to the ongoing conflict.
