The Israeli government has announced that it recently targeted Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters in Beirut, with assessments ongoing regarding the extent of the damage. This operation comes on the heels of multiple strikes aimed at prominent figures within the group, an act that Iran’s Supreme Leader has labeled as counterproductive.
In light of a recent ballistic missile strike from Iran—a direct response to Israeli military actions in Lebanon—Israel is currently contemplating its next moves. The regional tension has not only prompted military action but has led to a surge in oil prices, driven by fears that Israel may target Iranian oil installations as part of its broader strategy to curb the influence of Hezbollah in Lebanon while dismantling Hamas’s support in Gaza.
Reports indicate that the airstrike on Beirut fits within a larger offensive that has forced over 1.2 million Lebanese to leave their homes, with the latest operation seemingly focused on eliminating potential successors to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was reportedly killed by Israeli forces a week prior.
As the echoes of explosions reverberated in Beirut’s southern neighborhoods early this morning, witnesses from Reuters recounted seeing plumes of smoke. This occurred shortly after the Israeli military urged local residents to evacuate immediately due to impending strikes.
President Joe Biden, reflecting on the escalating conflict, suggested that if he were in Israel’s position, he would consider alternatives to striking Iranian oil fields. He acknowledged that Israel has not finalized its strategy for responding to Iranian provocations.
In the past year, the Lebanese government has reported that fatalities have surpassed 2,000, a grim statistic that has surged dramatically over the last two weeks. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric condemned this civilian toll, deeming it “totally unacceptable.”
As residents sift through the rubble following the Israeli airstrike, the Lebanese administration has leveled accusations against Israel, claiming a deliberate targeting of civilians, particularly women and children. They haven’t clarified how many of the overall casualties were fighters versus civilians.
Meanwhile, Israel defends its military operations as targeted strikes aimed at neutralizing specific military capabilities of Hezbollah, asserting that every effort is made to minimize civilian casualties. Hezbollah, on the other hand, rejects these claims, maintaining they do not use civilians as human shields.
The situation escalated further this week when an American citizen lost his life in Lebanon, prompting the U.S. State Department to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death. The individual, identified as Kamel Ahmad Jawad from Dearborn, Michigan, was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike, according to his daughter, a family friend, and the U.S. congresswoman representing his district.
Following Hamas militants’ attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and roughly 250 hostages taken, hostilities have intensified. Since then, over 41,000 Palestinians have died due to Israel’s retaliatory assaults in Gaza, as per figures reported by Gaza’s health ministry. The humanitarian crisis has led to mass displacement and widespread allegations of genocide, claims that Israel vehemently denies.
The Israeli military has stated that approximately 70 projectiles were launched from Lebanon into Israeli territory, most of which were intercepted or landed in uninhabited zones. This week, Israel escalated its military presence by deploying ground forces into Lebanon following Iranian missile strikes, asserting these operations are “localized,” although clarity on their extent and duration remains elusive.
Israel insists that these maneuvers are essential to provide safe conditions for the return of its citizens who had fled due to Hezbollah’s attacks in the north. Iranian responses, particularly following the killing of Hezbollah’s Nasrallah—a pivotal leader who reshaped the group into a significant political and military entity—have further fueled tensions. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, emphasized in a recent address that Iran and its allies would steadfastly resist any aggression directed at them, rallying regional forces to strengthen their defenses.
In remarks during Friday prayers, Khamenei characterized the October 7 attacks as “logical and legal,” and urged regional adversaries to “enhance your efforts and capabilities” in the face of perceived aggression. He assured that Iran would not delay its responsibilities in responding to Israel’s actions.
Israeli officials, including Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, confirmed they are continuing to assess the impacts of their recent airstrikes targeting Hezbollah’s operational centers. Earlier, the military announced the elimination of the head of Hezbollah’s communication networks, Mohammad Rashid Sakafi, although the current whereabouts of other key figures remain unverified.
In the aftermath of these devastating strikes, the Islamic Health Authority—a civil defense group aligned with Hezbollah—reported that at least eleven medics had been killed in various Israeli operations in southern Lebanon. Israeli forces stated that recent attacks have focused on demolishing weapons stockpiles, command posts, and other strategic locations associated with Hezbollah in and around Beirut.
Amidst the chaos, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, visiting Beirut, expressed his government’s support for a ceasefire in Lebanon but emphasized that such measures should align with Hezbollah’s stance and coincide with a corresponding cessation of hostilities in Gaza.
Edited by: Ali Musa
Axadle international–Monitoring
