Hezbollah Vows Continued Strikes on Israel Amid Border Conflict \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, vowed to continue daily strikes on Israel, following deadly explosions targeting the group’s communication devices. The attacks, widely attributed to Israel, killed at least 37 people and wounded thousands. Nasrallah promised retaliation, warning Israelis displaced near the Lebanon border would not return home until the war in Gaza ends. As both sides launched fresh attacks, fears of the conflict escalating into all-out war have intensified.
Nasrallah Vows Retaliation After Deadly Device Attacks: Quick Looks
- Escalation continues: Nasrallah vowed to continue strikes on Israel, despite recent attacks targeting Hezbollah’s communication devices.
- Fatal explosions: Over two days, device bombings killed 37 people and injured thousands across Lebanon and Syria.
- Hezbollah retaliation: Nasrallah promised “severe punishment” for Israel, saying the attacks crossed all boundaries.
- Cross-border attacks: Israel and Hezbollah launched new attacks, with casualties reported on both sides.
- Displaced Israelis: Nasrallah warned displaced Israeli residents near the Lebanon border won’t return until Gaza’s war ends.
Deep Look
Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, made his first public address Thursday after devastating explosions rocked Lebanon and Syria earlier this week, targeting the group’s pagers and walkie-talkies in what has widely been attributed to Israel. Nasrallah condemned the attacks, which left 37 dead and thousands injured, and vowed to continue daily strikes on northern Israel until the conflict in Gaza subsides.
Deadly Device Bombings
The explosions, which took place on Tuesday and Wednesday, were part of a coordinated effort believed to be led by Israel to sabotage Hezbollah’s communication systems. The attacks targeted thousands of Hezbollah devices, including pagers and walkie-talkies. According to Lebanese officials, the bombings were indiscriminate, affecting both Hezbollah members and civilians.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry updated the death toll to 37, including two children, while over 3,000 people were injured. The attacks occurred in multiple locations across Beirut, southern, and eastern Lebanon, and victims were struck in public spaces such as homes, cars, grocery stores, and even at a funeral for victims of the first wave of explosions.
The Lebanese Army has since been working to locate and safely detonate suspicious devices, and the country’s Civil Aviation Authority has banned pagers and walkie-talkies on all flights departing from Beirut’s international airport.
Nasrallah’s Response and Retaliation
During his speech, Nasrallah admitted the attacks were a “severe blow” to Hezbollah but promised swift retaliation. “The enemy crossed all boundaries,” he said, referring to Israel. He accused Israel of attempting to kill thousands of people by targeting the communication devices, vowing “severe punishment” in response.
Nasrallah also warned that displaced Israelis near the Lebanon border, who have fled due to the escalating conflict, would not be able to return home until Israel halts its aggression in Gaza and the West Bank. He declared that Hezbollah’s daily strikes on northern Israel would continue as long as the war in Gaza rages, underscoring Hezbollah’s position as a supporter of Hamas in its conflict with Israel.
Cross-Border Attacks Intensify
As Nasrallah delivered his speech, Hezbollah launched multiple strikes into northern Israel, targeting at least three military positions. Earlier in the day, two Israeli soldiers were killed in a Hezbollah attack, further escalating tensions. Israeli warplanes responded by conducting low-altitude flights over Beirut during Nasrallah’s address, prompting residents to open their windows to prevent glass from shattering due to the sonic booms.
Israel has also launched airstrikes on southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah missile launchers and other infrastructure. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that Hezbollah would “pay an increasing price” for its actions, indicating that Israel is preparing for a larger military operation if necessary. Gallant hinted at shifting Israeli military resources from Gaza to the northern front, as the country boosts its troop presence near the Lebanon border.
Device Bombings Likely Planned for Months
The bombings of Hezbollah’s devices were likely the result of a long-planned operation by Israel, aimed at simultaneously neutralizing thousands of Hezbollah members. While Hezbollah is investigating how the bombings were carried out, some believe the operation involved infiltrating the supply chain for communication devices, which were then rigged with explosives.
The attacks have disrupted Hezbollah’s internal communications and rattled a nation already on edge, with many Lebanese civilians fearing the conflict will escalate into an all-out war between Hezbollah and Israel. Nasrallah acknowledged the challenges posed by the bombings, but reaffirmed Hezbollah’s commitment to continuing its attacks on Israel.
Potential for Larger Conflict
Despite the frequent exchanges of fire, Israel and Hezbollah have thus far avoided a full-scale war, largely due to international pressure from countries like the United States and France. However, Israeli leaders have recently signaled a potential change in their strategy, with Israeli army chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi indicating that additional military action against Hezbollah may be forthcoming.
Israeli officials, including Gallant, have repeatedly emphasized that their goal is to restore security near the Lebanon border and allow displaced residents to return. However, they have also warned that they will continue to escalate military actions until Hezbollah ceases its attacks.
Lebanese Health Ministry Updates
Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad provided an update on the aftermath of the device bombings, stating that Wednesday’s injuries were more severe than Tuesday’s due to the size of the exploding walkie-talkies compared to pagers. Hospitals in Lebanon were able to treat the influx of wounded relatively quickly, despite the scale of the attacks. Abiad condemned the bombings as “war crimes”, noting that they were indiscriminate and caused widespread suffering among both Hezbollah members and civilians.
Hezbollah Vows Conclusion
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has entered a dangerous new phase following the deadly device bombings in Lebanon. As Nasrallah vows to continue retaliatory strikes and Israel ramps up its military response, the risk of an all-out war looms larger than ever. While international efforts to de-escalate tensions continue, both sides appear unwilling to back down, raising the stakes for the entire region.
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