Israel launched airstrikes on Lebanon early Saturday in response to a series of rockets fired toward Israeli territory, marking the most intense exchange since a ceasefire was established.
The latest hostilities erupted after rockets were launched from Lebanon into northern Israel, raising concerns about the stability of the fragile truce with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. This was the second such attack since December.
Following the rocket fire, Israel warned it would respond “severely.” According to the Israeli military, the intercepted rockets were aimed at the northern Israeli town of Metula.
Hezbollah has been engaged in hostilities with Israel since October 2023, when the group began launching rockets, drones, and missiles following Hamas’ attack on Israel. The conflict intensified in September, escalating into full-scale war as Israeli airstrikes targeted Hezbollah leaders. The fighting has resulted in the deaths of more than 4,000 people in Lebanon and displaced approximately 60,000 Israelis.
Under a ceasefire agreement reached in November, Israeli forces were scheduled to withdraw from Lebanese territory by late January. However, the deadline was extended to February 18 following negotiations. Despite this, Israel has maintained a military presence in five areas of Lebanon and has conducted airstrikes, citing the need to counter Hezbollah. Lebanon has urged the United Nations to press Israel for a complete withdrawal.
On Saturday, Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office ordered military action against “dozens of targets” in Lebanon. “Israel will not allow any harm to its citizens and sovereignty,” the statement read. The Israeli military confirmed it was striking Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has yet to issue a response.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called on the Lebanese army to take necessary measures in the south but emphasized that Lebanon does not want a return to war.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed alarm over the escalating violence, warning that further conflict could have severe consequences for the region.
Israeli Strikes Continue in Gaza
The flare-up in Lebanon comes as Israel intensifies its military operations in Gaza, vowing to increase pressure on Hamas until the militant group releases the remaining 59 hostages, including 24 believed to be alive.
On Friday, Israeli airstrikes killed at least nine people, including three children, in Gaza City, according to Al-Ahly Hospital. The Israeli military has signaled plans for new offensives in three neighborhoods west of the city, urging residents to evacuate via social media warnings.
Israel also targeted the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, Gaza’s only specialized cancer facility, claiming Hamas fighters were using the site for operations. Turkey, which helped build and fund the hospital, has condemned the attack.
The recent offensive has left around 600 Palestinians dead since Israel resumed major military actions earlier this week. With food, fuel, and humanitarian aid supplies largely cut off, international pressure on Israel has mounted.
The foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany issued a joint statement on Friday, calling Israel’s renewed attacks a significant setback. “We are appalled by the civilian casualties and urgently call for an immediate return to a ceasefire,” the statement read.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Many hostages have since been freed through ceasefire agreements or other deals, while Israeli forces have rescued eight and recovered the bodies of dozens more.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 49,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s military operations. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, though it claims more than half of the casualties are women and children. Israel, meanwhile, states it has eliminated around 20,000 militants but has not provided evidence for this figure.
(AP)
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