Key Takeaways:
– Israel intensified its attack on Hezbollah, targeting residential buildings concealing weaponry.
– Regular warnings are given by Israel to Lebanese civilians via automated calls and texts to evacuate Hezbollah-strengthened areas.
– Following a salvo of over 100 rockets by Hezbollah, Israel announces the deepening of their offensive in Lebanon.
– The Israeli military aims to dispel threats from Hezbollah ensuring the safe return of locals to their homes.
– U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin reaffirms U.S.’s commitment to Israel’s defence, stressing the importance of a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
In what appears as a severe escalation of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, missiles dove into southern Lebanon early Monday, as announced by the Israeli military. The assaults targeted residential buildings allegedly used as hideouts for Hezbollah weaponry.
Israel’s Response to Hezbollah
The purported attacks aim at hitting the Iran-backed insurgent group, Hezbollah, weapon stashes spread across houses in Lebanon. Anticipation of a much-dreaded violent surge in the stand-off between the rivals led to warnings being issued for civilians to evacuate areas where Hezbollah is known to operate.
Israel’s warnings were given primarily via automated phone calls and text messages, with reports of Lebanese radio stations being compromised to deliver these crucial updates. These came on the back of a weekend fraught with lethal crossfire between Israel and Hezbollah across the heart of the Middle East.
In a concerning response, Hezbollah retaliated by launching over 100 rockets towards civilian areas in northern Israel, injuring at least three people and leading to panic in regions where villagers have already deserted their homes.
Israel’s Warning to Civilians
Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, emphasized in a video on social media that these raids on residential areas harboring Hezbollah weapons would commence soon. Adraee urged residents to heed warnings from the Israeli army and evacuate their homes. He further accused Hezbollah of misleading the local residents and putting their lives in jeopardy.
Echoing Adraee’s sentiments, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant issued his own video message indicating the extension of attacks till the safe return of northern residents to their homes. He also alerted Israelis of incoming retaliations from Hezbollah or other allied groups of Iran in the region.
US Supports Israel’s Right to Self-Defense
There has been a recent surge in warnings from Lebanon’s state-run media. Citizens, notably from the capital and southern regions of Lebanon, where Hezbollah holds significant support, received alerts to evacuate.
As Israel bulks up on its offensive operations against Hezbollah, it does so with hesitant support from the U.S. The Biden administration voiced concern about a potential full-scale conflict, especially as it could endanger the U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East.
Engaging in a conversation with Galant following a volley of Hezbollah rocket attacks, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reinforced the U.S.’s commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself. However, he also emphasized the importance of reaching a diplomatic solution to this crisis.
Covert Attacks Escalate Violence
Unofficial covert operations by Israel last week resulted in a chain of explosions, leading to the death of around 40 people, including an unknown number of Hezbollah figures and two children. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah admitted the attacks were a hard hit on the group and accused Israel of violating all red lines and declaring war.
The Israeli government refrained from admitting responsibility for the massive attack but allegedly alerted American officials a few minutes prior to the beginning of the operations.