The Middle East is on edge following a dramatic escalation between Israel and Hezbollah.
Early Sunday morning, Israel launched a significant preemptive strike on southern Lebanon, targeting what it described as thousands of Hezbollah missile launchers.
The assault comes in the wake of a heightened threat from Hezbollah, which Israel claims was preparing to fire missiles and drones at northern Israel.
The Israeli military's operation, starting at 5 am local time, aimed to neutralise the perceived imminent threat from Hezbollah, which had reportedly planned a massive retaliation for the killing of its commander in July.
Israeli officials cited precise intelligence indicating that Hezbollah was poised to attack key targets, including a crucial intelligence facility just north of Tel Aviv.
"We acted based on reliable intelligence that Hezbollah was about to launch an attack against us," an Israeli official stated.
In response to the Israeli airstrikes, which saw over 100 warplanes involved, Hezbollah fired more than 200 projectiles into northern Israel.
The Israeli military reported limited damage from these retaliatory strikes, though the conflict resulted in the death of one Israeli soldier due to falling debris and three fatalities in Lebanon.
In the wake of the strikes, Israel declared a 48-hour state of emergency and temporarily shut down its main airport, causing numerous flight cancellations. Despite this, Israel's security forces reported no significant damage to military bases and began easing restrictions on public gatherings.
The airport was reopened, and there was no immediate reimposition of safety measures, suggesting a cautious return to normalcy.
"We are working to return to normal operations as soon as possible," said Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military spokesperson.
Retired Brigadier General Ilan Biton, former chief of Israel’s air force, emphasized that the detection of Hezbollah’s plans was a significant achievement.
He expressed hope that the situation would not escalate into a broader regional conflict. Meanwhile, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, on a visit to Canada, echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of preventing a regional war.
"Our hope is that the events of last night do not spill out into an escalation that leads to regional war," Sullivan told reporters.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has added a new layer of complexity to the already tense situation in the Middle East.
This comes as negotiations in Cairo aimed at establishing a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas were disrupted.
Hamas, which has been in conflict with Israel since early October, expressed frustration with the cease-fire talks, accusing Israel of introducing new conditions and delaying the process.
"Israel is still procrastinating and setting new conditions for a cease-fire," said Osama Hamdan, a Hamas spokesperson.
Despite this, discussions are set to continue at lower levels, with efforts focused on bridging gaps between the parties involved. U.S. officials have indicated that recent talks have been constructive, though significant obstacles remain.
Mike Singh of the Washington Institute suggested that the recent Israeli-Hezbollah exchange might actually facilitate the cease-fire talks by reinforcing the consequences for Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran of continued hostilities.
"By sending a message that Israel is willing and able to escalate, and that Washington will back it when it does so, the U.S. and Israel have underscored the consequences for Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran of continuing to refuse a deal," Singh said.
Hezbollah, which launched its attack as retaliation for the killing of its commander Fuad Shukr, claimed to have targeted multiple Israeli military sites.
Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah stated that the attack was intended as a response to the July 30 assassination of Shukr.
The group's missile barrage reportedly aimed at 11 army barracks and military installations in northern Israel, with the Mossad intelligence service’s base in Glilot being a primary target.
"Our attack was a direct response to the killing of our commander," Nasrallah said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security cabinet meeting and vowed to continue defending the country. He stressed on Israel’s resolve to ensure the safety of northern residents and to retaliate against any attacks.
"Whoever harms us, we will harm them," Netanyahu declared.
In a related development, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke over the weekend, highlighting ongoing coordination between the two countries.
While the U.S. has affirmed its support for Israel's right to defend itself, the timing of the Israeli airstrike has complicated American diplomatic efforts, which have been focused on de-escalation and seeking a cease-fire in Gaza.
Merissa Khurma of the Wilson Center noted that the recent Israeli actions have posed a setback for American diplomacy, which has been centered on achieving a cease-fire.
"The attack on Hezbollah is a setback for American diplomacy, which has been laser-focused on de-escalation," Khurma said.
The escalation raises questions about the U.S.'s leverage over Israel and its ability to mediate effectively in the region.
Since October, Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in intermittent clashes along the border, with Hezbollah joining the fray in support of Hamas.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with Israeli strikes killing at least 500 Hezbollah fighters and Hezbollah attacks resulting in the deaths of roughly 30 Israeli soldiers and 18 civilians.
International diplomatic efforts have focused on preventing further escalation and finding a resolution to the conflict. The U.S. has been involved in mediating between Israel and Lebanon to address border disputes and facilitate evacuations.
Tens of thousands of people have been displaced due to the fighting, and Israel seeks to move Hezbollah fighters away from the border to enable the safe return of its citizens.
Hezbollah, backed by Iran and designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., has indicated that it will continue hostilities until Israel agrees to a cease-fire with Hamas.
The ongoing war in Gaza, which began on October 7, has resulted in significant casualties, with over 40,000 reported deaths according to Hamas health officials.
Follow us
