Hezbollah fires at Israel/ Lebanon explosions/ Hezbollah retaliates/ Israeli-Hezbollah conflict/ Hezbollah launched another round of attacks on Israel amid rising concerns of a larger war after explosive devices, likely planted by Israel, killed at least 32 people and injured over 3,000 in Lebanon. The explosions, targeting Hezbollah communication devices, have severely disrupted the group’s internal operations and affected civilians. Israel has warned of expanding military operations against Hezbollah, further escalating tensions.
Hezbollah Strikes Israel Amid Explosive Device Chaos in Lebanon: Quick Looks
- New Attacks: Hezbollah launched fresh strikes on northern Israel, intensifying exchanges with Israeli forces.
- Exploding Devices: Israel is believed to have targeted Hezbollah pagers and walkie-talkies, killing fighters and civilians in Lebanon.
- Casualties Mount: At least 32 dead and over 3,000 wounded from the blasts, with Lebanese hospitals overwhelmed by the wounded.
- Wider War Fear: Tensions are rising, with Israel moving troops to the border and considering a larger military offensive against Hezbollah.
Hezbollah Fires New Barrage at Israel After Explosive Device Bombings
Deep Look:
Hezbollah fired a fresh volley of strikes into northern Israel on Thursday, intensifying the ongoing conflict as Lebanon reeled from a series of deadly explosions that targeted electronic devices used by Hezbollah members. The attacks, which have killed at least 32 people and injured over 3,000 across Lebanon, have sparked growing concerns of a wider war between Hezbollah and Israel.
The explosions appear to be part of a sophisticated operation by Israel to target Hezbollah fighters through the detonation of pagers and walkie-talkies. Over two days, the devices exploded in homes, cars, and public places, including at a funeral, indiscriminately affecting civilians and Hezbollah members alike.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant addressed Israeli troops on Wednesday, signaling a shift in strategy. “We are at the start of a new phase in the war — it requires courage, determination, and perseverance,” Gallant said. He praised Israel’s security agencies but did not specifically mention the device explosions. He indicated that Israeli forces are diverting resources to the northern front with Hezbollah, after months of fighting Hamas in Gaza.
Hezbollah retaliated with its usual precision, targeting Israeli military positions in northern Israel. Eight Israelis were reported injured, while Israel responded with strikes on Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon. The back-and-forth exchanges have resulted in hundreds of deaths in Lebanon and dozens in Israel, displacing tens of thousands of residents on both sides of the border.
While Israel and Hezbollah have avoided all-out war, the recent escalation threatens to push the conflict into a broader confrontation. Israeli leaders have made it clear that they are prepared to dramatically alter the status quo, with plans potentially being drawn up for a more significant military offensive in Lebanon.
The situation in Lebanon is particularly dire as the country grapples with the aftermath of the unprecedented bombings. On Tuesday and Wednesday, hundreds of explosions rocked Beirut, southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley. Pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah members were rigged with explosives, detonating wherever their holders happened to be — at home, in grocery stores, on the street, or even during funerals. The blasts resulted in horrific injuries, including maimed limbs and severe wounds to the face and abdomen.
The Lebanese Army has been working to locate and disable any remaining rigged devices, while the country’s civil aviation authorities have banned pagers and walkie-talkies from all flights departing Beirut’s international airport.
Hezbollah is scrambling to re-establish safe communication channels. On Thursday, the group announced the deaths of five combatants but did not specify whether they died in the explosions or during the ongoing exchanges with Israel. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is expected to address the nation later today, potentially outlining the group’s next steps in retaliation against Israel.
The blasts have not only targeted Hezbollah fighters but also affected civilians involved in the group’s extensive social services network, including health workers, teachers, and charity staff. Two children were among the dead. Health Minister Firas Abiad lauded Lebanon’s hospitals for handling the influx of wounded, though he condemned the attacks as “indiscriminate” and a “war crime.”
International legal experts, including Mary Ellen O’Connell from the University of Notre Dame, have condemned the use of booby-traps on civilian devices as a violation of international law. “Weaponizing an object used by civilians is strictly prohibited,” O’Connell said, calling the explosions a blatant breach of human rights norms.
Israel’s government, however, sees Hezbollah as a growing threat, one that needs to be curbed before it destabilizes the region further. Israel’s army chief, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, has reportedly drawn up plans for more aggressive action against Hezbollah, though there is no final decision on launching a full-scale military campaign.
The situation remains tense, with both sides exchanging fire almost daily. While Israel has bolstered its troop presence along the Lebanese border, it has yet to signal whether a significant escalation is imminent. The bombings in Lebanon, however, are likely to have far-reaching consequences, both in terms of Hezbollah’s operational capabilities and the broader conflict with Israel.
