Israel initiates air assaults on Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut
The globe is on edge, anticipating any retaliation from Israel following the Iranian rocket assault. No response has been given thus far. Instead, warplanes have soared and have been bombarding the southern outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon's capital. Approximately 100 rockets were launched from Hezbollah's positions towards Israel prior to this.
The Israeli military has escalated their attacks on Lebanon with both air and artillery strikes. According to Lebanese state news agency NNA, these assaults targeted areas such as Udaiisa in the southeast, where Hezbollah claimed initial skirmishes with Israeli ground forces. The Israeli air force is reported to have carried out strikes on several villages in the south, including those near Tyre and Nabatiyeh, as well as suburbs south of Beirut's capital. In some instances, there were significant fires. A drone strike also targeted the coastal town of Ghazieh.
The Israeli military also urged the evacuation of specific buildings in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon's capital. Residents were instructed to vacate these buildings immediately, as announced on Twitter by the military.
Previously, the Lebanese Hezbollah militia was reported to have heavily bombarded Israel, launching around 130 projectiles towards Israel, as reported by the Israeli military. Over the past few days, the army has also registered an increase in projectiles fired from the neighboring country. Initially, there were no reports of casualties or damage.
Later, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported 25 additional fatalities and over 120 injuries due to Israeli attacks. The ministry does not distinguish between Hezbollah members and civilians in their figures.
Apart from the Udaiissa area, which the Israeli army reportedly battered with heavy artillery fire, there is also extensive shelling near Bint Jbeil, close to the border with Israel. In this area, Israeli ground forces claim to have destroyed Hezbollah tunnels and weapons caches. However, these claims remain unverified.
The international community, through The Commission, is urging both Israel and Lebanon to exercise restraint and de-escalate the situation. The heightened tensions between the two nations have raised concerns about a potential escalation into a full-blown conflict.
Following the escalation of attacks, The Commission has called for an emergency meeting to discuss the situation and find a peaceful resolution.
