Hezbollah Launches Attacks on Israeli Military Targets in Lebanon
Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, launched a series of attacks on Israeli military targets across the border in response to the killing of four of its members in Israeli strikes. The escalation in violence began when Israeli drones targeted a car in Bafliyeh, Tyre, which was transporting Hezbollah members. The attack resulted in the death of two members, with a third member succumbing to severe injuries later on.
The town of Bafliyeh, located south of the Litani Line, had not been targeted in the past seven months, making this attack a violation of the rules of engagement. The area is strategically important, situated close to Tyre and surrounded by villages where UNIFIL forces operate. Israeli drones were reported to have hovered over several towns near Tyre before firing missiles at the vehicle carrying Hezbollah members.
Following the deaths of its members, Hezbollah retaliated by targeting Israeli military sites, including destroying technical systems at the Ramia outpost and striking a new command center in the Natur settlement. The group also engaged Israeli soldiers at the Al-Jerdah site, resulting in casualties among the Israeli forces.
The escalation on the southern Lebanese front coincided with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s threats of open war against Lebanon. Gallant vowed to achieve security by paralyzing Hamas, destroying Hezbollah, and achieving their goals in the north and south. Hezbollah responded by launching missiles at Israeli military sites and settlements in the north after Gallant’s visit to army positions in the region.
The situation further intensified as Israeli shelling and airstrikes in the border area led to the killing of additional Hezbollah members and members of the Islamic Jihad movement. Hezbollah mourned the loss of its members, including Hassan Mohammed Ismail and Mustafa Ali Issa. The Lebanese branch of the Al-Quds Brigades also mourned the loss of its members following the attacks.
Amidst the escalating tensions, Lebanon received warnings from European sources about potential escalation in southern Lebanon in the coming months. Lebanese officials who visited Paris conveyed warning messages regarding the situation. In response, the parliamentary foreign affairs committee in Beirut listened to a report from Human Rights Watch detailing documented Israeli attacks on civilians in Lebanon.
MP Fadi Alame highlighted the war crimes committed by Israel, including deliberate attacks on journalists and civilians, the use of white phosphorus in Gaza and Lebanon, and the targeting of paramedics. The Lebanese government has requested international investigations into these violations and war crimes, seeking compensation for the damages incurred.
As tensions continue to rise between Hezbollah and Israel, the situation remains volatile in southern Lebanon. The cycle of violence and retaliation threatens to escalate further, raising concerns about the potential for a full-scale conflict in the region. Diplomatic efforts are crucial to de-escalate tensions and prevent further loss of life on both sides.