August 25th 2024.
Early on Sunday, Israel launched a series of intense airstrikes in southern Lebanon, claiming that it was a pre-emptive strike against the militant group Hezbollah. This move has sparked fears of a wider war in the region and could potentially sabotage efforts to establish a ceasefire in Gaza.
According to the Israeli army, Hezbollah was planning to launch a massive barrage of rockets and missiles towards Israel. This comes after the group had been vowing to retaliate against Israel for the assassination of one of their top commanders last month.
Reports of air raid sirens were heard throughout northern Israel, and flights at Ben-Gurion international airport were diverted or delayed. Soon after, Hezbollah announced that they had launched an attack on Israel using a large number of drones as a response to the killing of their commander.
The group stated that their attack targeted a significant military target and several enemy sites and barracks, including the Iron Dome platforms. This comes amid ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with Hezbollah stating that they will stop fighting if a ceasefire is reached.
In the US, President Joe Biden is closely monitoring the situation and has instructed senior officials to communicate with their Israeli counterparts. The US remains committed to supporting Israel's right to defend itself and working towards regional stability.
Diplomats from the US and European countries have been making efforts to de-escalate the situation, which they fear could lead to a broader regional war involving the US and Iran. Last week, Israel's defence minister announced that more troops were being deployed to the Lebanese border in anticipation of possible fighting with Hezbollah.
Early on Sunday, the Israeli military spokesperson stated that they were targeting terror sites in Lebanon to remove the threat of attacks on Israeli civilians. He warned civilians in the areas where Hezbollah operates to evacuate for their own safety.
Reports from Lebanese media claimed that there were strikes in the country's south, with footage on social media showing possible strikes in southern Lebanon. The Israel Airports Authority also announced that flights were being cancelled or diverted due to the ongoing situation.
The Israeli military spokesperson confirmed that dozens of warplanes were involved in the operation, along with air defenses and warships to defend Israel's skies. He urged civilians in the area to move to safety.
Hezbollah has been attacking Israel since the start of the conflict with Hamas in October, with both sides exchanging fire almost daily. This has led to the displacement of tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border and raised concerns of a full-scale war.
Although both sides have been careful to avoid a wider conflict, Sunday's airstrikes have heightened fears of a potential escalation. Hezbollah is considered a much more powerful force than Hamas, with a large arsenal of rockets and missiles, including precision-guided ones.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defence minister are overseeing the operation from military headquarters in Tel Aviv. The Security Cabinet is set to meet later in the morning to discuss the situation. The defence minister has declared a special situation on the home front in Israel.
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