Hezbollah, the militant group based in Lebanon, announced that it had fired a rocket aimed at the headquarters of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, which it accused of orchestrating assassinations of its leaders and sabotaging communication tools like pagers and walkie-talkies used by the organization.
As warning sirens blared across Israel’s bustling economic hub, Tel Aviv, the Israeli military confirmed that one of its air defense systems intercepted a surface-to-surface missile that had crossed over from Lebanese territory. The military’s statement indicated that the situation was promptly under control, with no reports of damage or injuries. Furthermore, there had been no changes to civil protection protocols for the central region of the country.
In addition to Tel Aviv, warning sirens were activated in other central locations, including Netanya, as concerns over escalating tensions grew.
In its declaration, Hezbollah stated that it had launched a ‘Qader 1’ ballistic missile specifically targeting Mossad’s facilities situated on the outskirts of Tel Aviv. The organization further claimed, “This facility orchestrates assassinations and was involved in the explosions of communication devices,” alluding to recent attacks in Lebanon that resulted in significant casualties and the loss of a high-ranking commander.
Emergency responders have been busy in the aftermath of overnight airstrikes carried out by Israel in the Lebanese village of Akbiyeh. Hezbollah framed its missile launch as not only a counteraction against perceived aggressors but also an act of solidarity with the people of Gaza and as a form of “defense for Lebanon and its citizens.” The situation has seen heightened rocket fire from Hezbollah towards Israel in the past few days, amidst a marked escalation in conflict along the southern Lebanese border.
This week has witnessed the Israeli military executing its most intense air strikes of the ongoing war, targeting various Hezbollah leadership figures and striking hundreds of sites deep within Lebanon, with reports indicating over 500 fatalities and more than 1,800 individuals injured as a result.
Intriguingly, just yesterday, an airstrike in Beirut took the life of Ibrahim Qubaisi, a prominent commander in Hezbollah’s missile and rocket division. This new offensive against Hezbollah has ignited fears of broadening conflict between Israel and Hamas, the militant group operating in Gaza, raising the specter of regional instability.
In light of these developments, the UN Security Council has scheduled a meeting for today to deliberate the ongoing conflict.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the precarious situation, stating, “Lebanon is on the edge. The citizens of Lebanon, Israel, and indeed the global community cannot afford to let Lebanon spiral into another Gaza.” Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib estimated that around 500,000 people have been uprooted from their homes due to the hostilities.
In Beirut, a multitude of displaced individuals who fled from the southern parts of Lebanon have taken refuge in schools and other facilities. Reflecting on military operations, the Israeli armed forces indicated that they conducted “extensive strikes” on various Hezbollah targets located throughout southern Lebanon, which included weapon depots and numerous missile launchers aimed at Israeli soil.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant proclaimed that these assaults have severely weakened Hezbollah’s capacity, vowing to sustain this level of military pressure. He remarked, “Hezbollah has faced a series of crippling blows to its command structure, its fighters, and its operational capabilities. These are significant hits to their power.” Yet, some local experts disagree with Israel’s analysis.
Former Lebanese general Hisham Jaber, now a security analyst at the Middle East Centre for Studies and Research, dismissed Israeli claims of successful neutralization of Hezbollah’s military strength in Lebanon. In an interview with RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he remarked, “Israel’s attempts to dismantle Hezbollah’s capabilities through aerial bombardment have not succeeded. Their military potential remains largely untapped.” He argued that Hezbollah is reluctant to trigger a wider regional war and asserted that they have continued launching hundreds of missiles toward Israel.
Furthermore, he expressed skepticism about the prospects of a ground offensive by Israel, suggesting that it would not align with U.S. interests. “Hezbollah remains resilient and will not capitulate,” he stated, underscoring the complex and multifaceted nature of the ongoing conflict.
As the situation continues to evolve, multiple reports and perspectives highlight the urgency and volatility of the conflict in the region, calling into question the stability of not only Lebanon but the Middle East as a whole.
