- By Aditya Jha
- Fri, 20 Sep 2024 12:38 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Hezbollah-Israel Conflict: The tensions between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel are at an all-time high after 37 people were killed and over 3000 were injured in a series of pager and walkie-talkie blasts across Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has blamed Israel for these explosions, labelling the blasts as crossing "all limits, rules, and red lines." Nasrallah added that the tension will continue until there is a ceasefire in Gaza.
On Thursday, the Israel Air Force attacked about 30 rocket launchers and several other military equipment of Hezbollah in the southern part of Lebanon. Israel Defense Force (IDF) further claimed that they would continue the attacks in "self-defense.". Hezbollah military buildings were also attacked alongside the organisation's munitions warehouse in several areas in southern Lebanon. The IDF pledged that it will "continue to degrade the capabilities and harm the Hizballah terrorist organisation."
Israel-Hezbollah Conflict Latest Updates:
Israeli fighter jets pounded Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon late on Thursday, striking hundreds of rocket launcher barrels that were set to be used to immediately fire toward Israeli territory. It said that since the afternoon, fighter jets struck some 100 rocket launchers consisting of about 1,000 barrels.
Meanwhile, Israel has lifted restrictions in the Northern Zone and Golan Heights on Friday. The restrictions were ordered following the start of an intense wave of Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Thursday afternoon which added to growing fears of a serious escalation in months of conflict along the border.
According to a report by the Associated Press, Israel had warned US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin of a military operation in Lebanon on Tuesday but gave no further details about the timing of the attack. The pager blasts in Lebanon took place on the same day when Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant dialled US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
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The Israeli military has instructed residents in dozens of northern communities to stay near shelters and avoid non-essential outdoor activities due to possible "retaliation" from Hezbollah. Although Israel has not claimed responsibility for the explosions, Hezbollah has attributed the incidents to Israel and vowed to retaliate.
After allegedly orchestrating pager and walkie-talkie blasts on Tuesday and Wednesday, Israeli warplanes carried out late on Thursday their most intense strikes on southern Lebanon in nearly a year of war, heightening the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah amid calls for restraint. The White House said a diplomatic solution was achievable and urgent, and Britain called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, the US has stationed about 40,000 forces and at least a dozen warships in the Middle East zone to avoid a major war between the two forces. In a statement, the US State Department supported Israel's self-defence claims and warned Hezbollah to end attacks and support the idea of diplomatic talks.
Hamas has appreciated Hezbollah and its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, for their support in the conflict against Israel. Hamas further claimed that the US and other nations should talk to Israel about a possible ceasefire.
