Escalation in the Israel-Lebanon Conflict: What’s Happening Now
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have taken a dangerous turn, with both sides engaging in a series of aggressive attacks. Israel recently launched airstrikes on southern Lebanon, claiming it was a preemptive move to stop an impending Hezbollah attack on northern Israeli towns. In response, Hezbollah has carried out what it describes as the first phase of a retaliatory strike against Israel, following the killing of one of its commanders, Fuad Shukr, in late July.
On Sunday, Israel confirmed it had conducted airstrikes aimed at disrupting Hezbollah’s preparations for an assault on northern Israel. While clashes between the two have been frequent since Israel's war on Gaza began in October, this latest exchange marks a significant escalation.
A Dangerous Back-and-Forth
Hezbollah, retaliating for the targeted killings of its leaders and those of its ally Hamas, has fired over 320 rockets at Israeli military targets, including bases in the occupied Golan Heights. The back-and-forth attacks between the two sides have intensified, with Sunday’s events being particularly concerning.
Israeli strikes primarily focused on the border area, extending up to 5 kilometers deep along the 120-kilometer frontier. The area has been declared a military zone and evacuated due to repeated Israeli bombardments in recent months. In response, Israel says it deployed 100 jets to bomb thousands of Hezbollah launch sites in southern Lebanon, just half an hour before the planned Hezbollah attack.
Lebanese sources report casualties, including a critically injured person from an Israeli drone strike and another fatality in an airstrike on the town of Khiam. As the situation escalated, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared a 48-hour nationwide "special situation," which included temporarily closing Ben Gurion airport and imposing restrictions on civilians in northern Israel and the Golan Heights.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s stance, vowing to do whatever it takes to defend the country. "Whoever harms us – we harm him," he stated.
The Broader Impact and Global Concerns
As the initial wave of attacks seems to subside, there’s uncertainty about whether further strikes are planned, potentially escalating the conflict even more. This ongoing conflict, although somewhat contained, has the potential to spiral out of control, raising fears of a broader regional war. The recent assassinations of key figures like Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, both blamed on Israel, have only added to these fears.
Sami Nader, director of the Levant Institute for Strategic Affairs, warns that Israel’s actions could pull the entire region into a full-scale war, though he believes both sides will try to avoid that outcome.
Meanwhile, the United States has reaffirmed its support for Israel’s right to defend itself. Under President Joe Biden’s direction, senior U.S. officials have been in constant communication with their Israeli counterparts.
As Egypt hosts new talks aimed at ending Israel’s war on Gaza, now in its 11th month, Hezbollah has indicated a willingness to cease hostilities if a ceasefire is reached. However, a diplomatic solution seems distant, with Israel determined to change the rules of engagement to ensure the return of Israelis evacuated from the north.
This is a situation that requires close monitoring as it unfolds, with the potential for significant ramifications across the region.