Israeli forces conduct bombings on targets in Lebanon, leading to heightened tensions and calls for restraint.
Following a rocket attack on a football field in the occupied Golan Heights that led to 12 deaths, Israeli officials vowed retaliatory action. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed carrying out airstrikes against several locations within southern Lebanon.
In the wee hours of Sunday, multiple news outlets relayed about attacks. Al Jazeera reported that explosions were audible in Tyre – a coastal city and many villages straddling the Israel-Lebanon border.
The IDF released a statement stating that its air force targeted Hezbollah terror sites in various locations, including deep inside Lebanese territory and southern Lebanon. The targets included weapons caches and terrorist infrastructure situated within regions such as Chabriha, Borj El Chmali, Beqaa, Kfarkela,Rab El Thalathine,Khiam,and Tayr Harfa.
On Saturday, there was a surge of tensions after Majdal Shams – a village occupied by the Druze community – got hit by a missile. The Israeli government held Hezbollah responsible for this attack that unfortunately resulted in mostly children becoming victims; however, the group based out of Lebanon denied having any involvement with it.
Throughout the day, Israeli political figures issued vehement condemnations of Hezbollah for attacking Israeli military and civilian targets with rockets and mortar shells in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
The Israeli Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, stated that Hezbollah has undoubtedly crossed all boundaries and cautioned about a potential full-scale war between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
On Sunday, a joint statement was issued by Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN’s special coordinator for Lebanon and Aroldo Lazaro, who is in charge of UN peacekeepers within the country. They urged all parties to exhibit utmost restraint and bring an end to the ongoing escalated gunfire exchanges.
They warned that the escalation might trigger a larger conflict, resulting in an unimaginable catastrophe for the entire region.
