Lebanon: Israel trades fire with Hezbollah in south and east
Lebanon: Israel trades fire with Hezbollah in south and east
Israel has claimed to have eliminated an intelligence officer within Hezbollah, a group backed by Iran, following attacks on the nation. The strike in Beirut, Lebanon, targeted Hussein Makled, who led the group’s intelligence operations. This action came after Hezbollah launched missile attacks into Israel, prompted by the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a bombing on Saturday.
Lebanon’s government has taken steps to reduce the escalating conflict, imposing a ban on Hezbollah’s military activities. The Israeli military confirmed the strike on Monday, marking a new phase of hostilities. Earlier in the week, Hezbollah had initiated attacks, breaking a fragile truce that had been in place since last year.
“We have issued 18 urgent evacuation warnings for buildings used by the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the following villages and towns,” stated Avichay Adraee, an Arabic-speaking IDF spokesperson, in a post on X.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported 52 fatalities and 154 injured individuals as Israeli strikes targeted areas near the southern capital and border regions. This revised figure surpassed an initial count of 31 deaths. The attacks marked the first Hezbollah missile barrage into Israel in over a year, which was followed by a significant Israeli counteroffensive.
Hezbollah’s Response
Hezbollah, established by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982, stated that its attacks were aimed at avenging the loss of “the pure blood” of Khamenei. The group framed the action as a justified retaliation, citing the leader’s death as a catalyst for renewed conflict. Israel, in turn, blamed Hezbollah for the escalation, labeling its leader Naim Qassem as a “target for elimination.”
Despite the intensity of the strikes, Israel has not yet signaled plans for a ground operation. Civilians across Lebanon have been evacuating major roads, fleeing zones at risk from the ongoing clashes. The government in Beirut appears to be working to de-escalate tensions, with additional explosions reported in the capital on Monday.
“The state rejects any military actions launched from Lebanese territory outside the framework of its legitimate instructions,” said Prime Minister Nawaf Salam after a Cabinet meeting. “This necessitates the immediate prohibition of all Hezbollah’s security and military activities, as they are deemed unlawful, and obliges the group to surrender its weapons to the Lebanese state.”
The truce between Israel and Hezbollah had previously required Lebanon to oversee security in the southern border regions, moving forces away from the area. However, the ongoing tensions in Iran have cast doubt on the government’s ability to fully control Hezbollah’s actions. The situation remains uncertain as the conflict intensifies along the southern and eastern frontiers.