Rising Tensions: Israeli Airstrikes Hit Lebanon Amid Hezbollah Attacks on Tel Aviv
BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, Sept 25 (Reuters) – The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated on Wednesday as Israel expanded its airstrikes in Lebanon and intercepted a missile fired by Hezbollah targeting Tel Aviv. This intensification has drawn widespread concern from global leaders, particularly given its simultaneity with Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the missile, stating that it targeted the headquarters of the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, in Tel Aviv. The type of missile fired has not been independently verified. This development marks a significant escalation, with Hezbollah asserting the strike as a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and a defense of Lebanon. However, Israeli military sources have indicated that the missile was intercepted before causing any damage, and the Mossad headquarters is not located in the area the missile was heading towards.
The recent surge in violence has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. Over the past week, Israel has launched its most intense airstrikes in nearly twenty years, targeting key Hezbollah figures and numerous sites across Lebanon. This campaign has resulted in hundreds of thousands of Lebanese fleeing their homes and a sharp increase in casualties. Monday alone saw over 550 fatalities, the highest death toll in a single day since the end of Lebanon’s civil war in 1990.
On Wednesday, Israel continued its aggressive air campaign, focusing on southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, areas known to be Hezbollah strongholds. In response, Hezbollah has fired numerous rocket barrages into Israel, exacerbating the already dire situation.
Hezbollah’s recent statement highlighted their intention behind the missile strike, framing it as a response to Israeli actions and as a defense measure for Lebanon. The Israeli military confirmed that the missile was intercepted by air defense systems, avoiding any potential casualties or damage. The sirens in Tel Aviv and other central areas of Israel, triggered by the missile threat, underscored the tension and fear among the civilian population.
Hezbollah has accused Mossad of orchestrating several assassinations of its leaders and claimed that a recent explosion of booby-trapped devices, attributed to Mossad, resulted in significant casualties among its ranks. It has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in these incidents.
The recent airstrikes on Wednesday resulted in at least 23 deaths and around 50 injuries across various locations in Lebanon. Israel has expanded its strike zones, hitting new targets including the beach resort town of Jiyyeh and Maaysrah. The strikes also impacted Bint Jbeil, Tebnin, Ain Qana in the south, and other locations in the Chouf district and Keserwan district.
The media landscape has also been affected, with several journalists losing their lives in the crossfire. Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV reported the death of cameraman Kamel Karaki in an Israeli airstrike. He is the fifth journalist to be killed in the recent bombardments, highlighting the dangers faced by media personnel covering the conflict.
The displacement crisis in Lebanon is worsening, with estimates suggesting that up to half a million people have been forced to leave their homes. Many of these displaced individuals are now sheltering in schools and other buildings in Beirut, seeking refuge from the ongoing violence. The Lebanese Army has been involved in evacuations, including from the Christian town of Alma Chaab, which experienced heavy strikes overnight.
In northern Israel, the situation remains tense with continued rocket fire from Hezbollah. The Galilee region, in particular, has been heavily targeted, with approximately 40 rockets fired in one salvo on Wednesday morning. While some were intercepted, others managed to breach air defenses, causing damage in populated areas. In Safed, an assisted living facility was struck, although no injuries were reported.
The conflict’s escalation has drawn reactions from global leaders, who fear it could destabilize the region further. Pope Francis condemned the violence as a “terrible escalation,” while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed similar concerns, urging for restraint and a de-escalation of hostilities.
Israel’s strategic focus has shifted towards its northern frontier with Lebanon, preparing for a potentially prolonged conflict. Tens of thousands of Israelis have been evacuated from border areas, and the government has emphasized the importance of securing these regions.
Since the onset of the intensified conflict on Monday, Lebanon’s Health Minister Firass Abiad reported that Israeli strikes have resulted in 569 deaths, including 50 children, and over 1,800 injuries. The international community remains alarmed, with calls for immediate efforts to prevent further escalation and address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
Israeli troops have been conducting extensive training in anticipation of potential ground operations in Lebanon, highlighting the seriousness with which Israel is approaching the current situation. As both sides prepare for continued conflict, the prospect of a peaceful resolution appears increasingly distant, with significant implications for the stability of the entire Middle East.