TLDR:
- Israeli warplanes bombed Beirut, killing six people in a Hezbollah-affiliated building
- Eight Israeli soldiers were killed in combat in southern Lebanon
- Israel conducted multiple airstrikes on targets in Beirut and southern Lebanon
- Hezbollah claims to have destroyed Israeli tanks and has vowed to push back Israeli forces
- US President Biden advised against Israel targeting Iranian nuclear facilities in retaliation
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has intensified, with Israeli forces conducting airstrikes in Beirut and engaging in ground combat in southern Lebanon. This escalation comes in the wake of Iran’s missile attack on Israel and amid growing concerns about regional stability.
Israeli warplanes carried out a bombing raid on central Beirut, targeting a building affiliated with Hezbollah. The strike resulted in six fatalities and eight injuries, marking the first such attack close to Beirut’s center. The Israeli military described the operation as a “precision” attack on a Hezbollah-linked health center.
Israel conducted multiple air raids on targets in the southern suburbs of Dahieh, known as a Hezbollah stronghold. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued warnings to residents in the area, stating that they were targeting Hezbollah facilities.
The conflict has taken a toll on both sides. Israel reported its first casualties since the start of ground operations in southern Lebanon, with eight soldiers killed in combat. The IDF stated that these troops, mostly from elite commando units, were eliminated during engagements with Hezbollah fighters.
Hezbollah, for its part, claimed to have inflicted significant damage on Israeli forces. The group reported destroying three Israeli Merkava tanks near Maroun al-Ras and targeting Israeli commandos with anti-tank missiles, explosives, and gunfire in border villages. Hezbollah insists it has sufficient manpower and resources to repel the Israeli advance.
The escalation in Lebanon follows Iran’s missile barrage against Israel on Tuesday night, which was largely intercepted by Israeli air defenses. This attack was reportedly in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike in Beirut that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and a senior Iranian commander.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended the offensive in Lebanon, stating that it aims to degrade Hezbollah’s capabilities and push its fighters back from the border. The ultimate goal, according to Netanyahu, is to allow approximately 60,000 displaced Israelis to return to their homes near the Lebanon border.
The conflict has had a severe impact on Lebanese civilians. The country’s health ministry reported that 46 people had been killed and 85 wounded in Israeli bombings over a 24-hour period. The strikes have also resulted in the displacement of around 1.2 million people across Lebanon.
International concern over the escalating situation is growing. US President Joe Biden advised against an Israeli retaliatory strike on Iranian nuclear sites, emphasizing the need for a proportional response. The US administration has indicated that it will be discussing potential courses of action with Israeli officials.
As the conflict continues to evolve, diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions are underway. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister and Iran’s President met in Qatar to discuss the situation, with Qatar expressing its commitment to ongoing efforts to stabilize the region.
The international community remains on high alert as the conflict threatens to draw in more regional players and potentially disrupt global energy shipments.
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