Hezbollah and Israel exchange gunfire once more.
Concerns escalate over potential Middle East conflict: The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah is bombarding Israel, prompting Israel to retaliate in southern Lebanon. The US is pushing for a truce, but is also irked with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
In response to persistent rocket attacks by Hezbollah on Israel and Israeli counter-attacks, the threat of a larger Middle East conflict looms. The Israeli military confirmed repelling a fresh attack from Lebanon through the night from Thursday to Friday. Lebanese outlets reported Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon.
A peaceful resolution is necessary, stated US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a meeting with Israeli government officials in Washington. "A diplomatic settlement must be reached that allows Israeli and Lebanese families to return to their homes," Blinken said at a meeting with Israel's National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and Minister for Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer.
Disagreements emerged between the White House and Israel on Thursday. The US administration expressed disappointment and frustration over comments from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who criticized delays in US weapons delivery for the military operation in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu had earlier expressed appreciation for US support in the Gaza war, but also commented that it was astonishing that "weapons and ammunition for Israel have been withheld" in recent months. According to US government claims, only a US delivery of 900-kg bombs to Israel was postponed. The security advisor to US President Joe Biden, Jake Sullivan, justified this by citing concerns that these bombs could be dropped on populated urban areas.
Hezbollah: Rockets Discharged En Masse
Hezbollah announced on Thursday that it had launched "numerous" rockets into northern Israel. This was a reaction to a deadly Israeli attack in the village of Deir Kifa. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had previously stated in a televised address, "the enemy understands that we have prepared ourselves for the worst (...), and that no place (...) will be spared from our rockets." He also warned the EU country Cyprus not to allow Israeli military forces to utilize its airfields and bases in the event of a war.
The Cyprus government stated that the threats were baseless. Cyprus maintains "outstanding relationships" with all regional countries, is not engaged in any conflict, and "will not become entangled in one."
The Israeli military declared that they had annihilated a Hezbollah fighter responsible for organizing and executing "terrorist acts against Israel" and commanding Hezbollah's ground troops. Hezbollah only confirmed the death of one of their fighters.
The Israeli military leadership approved an offensive deployment plan for potential operations in Lebanon on Tuesday. High-ranking military officials have "sanctioned and authorized" the offensive in Lebanon during a joint assessment in the Northern Command, the army announced. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz threatened Hezbollah with their annihilation in a "full-scale war".
Since the conflict between Israel and the radical Islamic Hamas has been ongoing for more than eight months, Hezbollah, supported by Iran and allied with Hamas, has been launching rockets and drones at Israel. Thousands of people in Israel have been forced to relocate since then. According to Israeli reports, at least 15 soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed in the north of the country.
Israel has intensified its responses with attacks on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. At least 479 people have been killed in Lebanon, over 93 of whom were civilians.
Read also:
- Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, urged for a peaceful resolution in the Middle East conflict, emphasizing the need for a diplomatic settlement that allows Israelis and Lebanese families to return to their homes.
- The USA, along with the international community, is expressing concerns about the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, with the potential for wars and conflicts having far-reaching implications.
- Despite the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, including between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, the USA continues to engage in diplomatic efforts, with Antony Blinken meeting with Israeli government officials in Washington to discuss a peaceful resolution.
