- By Shivangi Sharma
- Sun, 22 Sep 2024 03:53 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified, with Israel conducting 400 strikes on Lebanon while Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel’s Ramat David base near Haifa, according to Reuters. On Sunday, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for targeting Israeli military-industrial sites north of Haifa, with Israel reporting three injuries from the attack.
Clashes in southern Lebanon and northern Israel escalated to their most intense levels on Saturday night, with Israel conducting extensive airstrikes aimed at Hezbollah missile launchers throughout southern Lebanon. In response, Hezbollah launched a series of rockets at northern Israel, specifically targeting the Ramat David airbase southeast of Haifa in the early hours of Sunday, marking the farthest the group has struck since the fighting began in October.
The escalation in fighting follows remarks by Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who stated that Israel is nearing a "new phase" in its conflict with Hezbollah.
Here Are The Latest Updates
- Hezbollah announced that it targeted industrial facilities belonging to Israeli defence company Rafael, near Haifa in northern Israel, early Sunday morning. In a statement, the group said the strike was an "initial response" to recent pager and walkie-talkie attacks, which left over 3,000 injured and 42 dead across Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday.
- The Israeli military reported that rockets were fired toward civilian areas, indicating a potential escalation in hostilities. Hundreds of thousands of Israeli civilians spent the night in bomb shelters as rockets flew overhead, with some striking homes and continuous rocket alert sirens sounding throughout the night.
Hezbollah’s terrorism targets civilians.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 22, 2024
Hundreds of thousands of Israeli civilians spent their night hiding in bomb shelters, while barrages of rockets were flying over their heads, some hitting their homes, and rocket alert sirens were constantly sounding throughout the night.… pic.twitter.com/2XzgAQQ7Fp
- In an interview with Sky News' Trevor Phillips, Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated that Israel "does not want war" with Lebanon, asserting that the conflict was "instigated" by Iranian-backed groups in the region, including Hezbollah, the Houthis in Yemen, and Hamas in Gaza.
- Hezbollah fired over 100 rockets early Sunday, reaching a broader and deeper region in northern Israel, with some landing near Haifa, while Israel responded with hundreds of strikes on Lebanon.
- Israel's military reported on Sunday that it intercepted a "suspicious aerial object" launched from the east, with no damage or injuries resulting from the incident
- The health ministry also announced that hospitals in northern Israel have been directed to relocate operations to more secure facilities better equipped to withstand rocket and missile attacks.
The underground bunkers at Rambam Hospital in Haifa are preparing for the worst-case scenario.
— Yaki Lopez🎗️ (@YakiLopez) September 22, 2024
This highlights the difference between Israel and the terrorists:
Israel builds bunkers to protect civilians, while Hezbollah and Hamas use them to shield themselves. pic.twitter.com/t1chTUeelE
- The IDF announced that Hezbollah’s military command structure has been nearly dismantled following the elimination of several key terrorists, including Ibrahim Aqil, in recent operations.
Hezbollah’s military chain of command has been almost completely dismantled after a dozen significant terrorists including Ibrahim Aqil were eliminated yesterday.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 21, 2024
We will continue operating against any terrorist organization that poses a threat to our civilians on all fronts. pic.twitter.com/F2Ewyx4WdL
- The Israeli military reported that it hit approximately 290 targets on Saturday, including numerous Hezbollah rocket launcher barrels, and stated that it would continue targeting the Iran-backed group.