Thick smoke rises over southern Lebanon as Israeli airstrikes target Hezbollah positions, escalating tensions in the region.
IDF Launches Major Airstrikes Against Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon Amid Escalating Conflict
In the past 48 hours, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have significantly escalated their air campaign against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. This comes as part of Operation Northern Arrows, which targeted over 1,300 Hezbollah military sites, including rocket launchers, weapons depots, and command centers. The strikes hit various locations across southern Lebanon and even reached as far as Byblos, north of Beirut. These airstrikes have resulted in substantial casualties, with reports from the Lebanese Health Ministry confirming at least 274 dead and over 1,000 wounded.
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), on September 21st, the IDF noted they had targeted over 400 rocket launchers, rocket barrels, and other military infrastructure in southern Lebanon. They targeted short and medium-range launchers capable of hitting key areas in northern Israel. The IDF noted that this was a preemptory strike as they had good intelligence that Hezbollah was preparing to launch their own strikes on northern Israel.
On the 22nd, IDF forces launched another wave of attacks on southern Lebanon, this time in a more directed effort to degrade their resources rather than be simply a preemptive strike. The bombings follow the well-publicized “pager attacks,” where it is presumed that Mossad operatives had rigged thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah terrorists to attempt to communicate undetected, to explode on command.
Regarding the totality of these actions, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi commented that they will continue to pound the Lebanese until they allow displaced Israelis to return to northern Israel.
The IDF’s attacks focused on sites where Hezbollah was believed to be storing weapons, including rockets and drones, within civilian structures. The Israeli military had previously warned residents in those areas to evacuate, urging civilians to distance themselves from Hezbollah installations. Despite these warnings, the strikes have led to widespread displacement, with thousands of Lebanese civilians fleeing their homes, causing chaotic traffic jams and overwhelming shelters in Beirut and other cities.
Image used with permission of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched over 200 rockets into Israel, targeting military bases and civilian areas in northern Israel and the West Bank. While Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted many of these rockets, several still caused damage, injuring a small number of civilians. Specifically, Hezbollah launched missiles toward Rafael Advanced Systems, located close to Haifa. They claimed this was retaliation for the recent pager bombings.
IDF Launches Major Airstrikes Against Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon Amid Escalating Conflict
In the past 48 hours, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have significantly escalated their air campaign against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. This comes as part of Operation Northern Arrows, which targeted over 1,300 Hezbollah military sites, including rocket launchers, weapons depots, and command centers. The strikes hit various locations across southern Lebanon and even reached as far as Byblos, north of Beirut. These airstrikes have resulted in substantial casualties, with reports from the Lebanese Health Ministry confirming at least 274 dead and over 1,000 wounded.
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), on September 21st, the IDF noted they had targeted over 400 rocket launchers, rocket barrels, and other military infrastructure in southern Lebanon. They targeted short and medium-range launchers capable of hitting key areas in northern Israel. The IDF noted that this was a preemptory strike as they had good intelligence that Hezbollah was preparing to launch their own strikes on northern Israel.
On the 22nd, IDF forces launched another wave of attacks on southern Lebanon, this time in a more directed effort to degrade their resources rather than be simply a preemptive strike. The bombings follow the well-publicized “pager attacks,” where it is presumed that Mossad operatives had rigged thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah terrorists to attempt to communicate undetected, to explode on command.
Regarding the totality of these actions, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi commented that they will continue to pound the Lebanese until they allow displaced Israelis to return to northern Israel.
The IDF’s attacks focused on sites where Hezbollah was believed to be storing weapons, including rockets and drones, within civilian structures. The Israeli military had previously warned residents in those areas to evacuate, urging civilians to distance themselves from Hezbollah installations. Despite these warnings, the strikes have led to widespread displacement, with thousands of Lebanese civilians fleeing their homes, causing chaotic traffic jams and overwhelming shelters in Beirut and other cities.
Image used with permission of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched over 200 rockets into Israel, targeting military bases and civilian areas in northern Israel and the West Bank. While Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted many of these rockets, several still caused damage, injuring a small number of civilians. Specifically, Hezbollah launched missiles toward Rafael Advanced Systems, located close to Haifa. They claimed this was retaliation for the recent pager bombings.
Notably, the IDF also intercepted two cruise missiles launched toward Israel from Iraq. Their target was somewhere in the southern Golan Heights region. They were shot down prior to entering Israeli airspace.
Besides the drone and missile attacks, the IDF has forward-deployed ground units in northern Israel. Units include the 7th Armored Brigade and elements of the 98th Division, including the 35th Paratroopers and 89th Commando Brigade.
Colonel Elad Zuri, commander of the 7th Brigade, recently stated in a letter that his unit is prepared to “lead the IDF in the northern arena.” His stated goal is to allow displaced Israeli citizens to return to their homes.
The escalating conflict has raised. fears of a broader regional war, with Israeli officials signaling the possibility of further military action, including a ground invasion, should Hezbollah continue its rocket attacks. The US maintains a strong military presence in the region and has just recently sent more ground troops to the Middle East.
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