Hezbollah Vows to Intensify Strikes on Israel as Conflict Escalates \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Hezbollah’s acting leader, Sheikh Naim Kassem, declared on Tuesday that the group remains focused on “hurting the enemy” by targeting major Israeli cities, including Haifa and Tel Aviv. His statement comes amid ongoing cross-border conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has intensified over the past year. Meanwhile, U.N. officials have raised alarms over increasing civilian casualties, calling for independent investigations into recent airstrikes in Lebanon, as regional tensions continue to rise.
Hezbollah’s Threats Against Israel: Quick Looks
- Hezbollah’s focus: Acting leader Sheikh Naim Kassem vows continued strikes on Israeli cities, citing solidarity with Hamas.
- U.N. investigation calls: U.N. seeks a probe into deadly Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon that killed 22 civilians, including women and children.
- Escalating regional conflict: Israel’s military operations in Lebanon and Gaza have led to widespread destruction, civilian casualties, and mass displacements.
- U.S. involvement: The Biden administration pressures Israel to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza amid ongoing conflict and international scrutiny.
Deep Look
Hezbollah’s acting leader, Sheikh Naim Kassem, reaffirmed the Lebanese militant group’s resolve to continue targeting Israel, with a specific focus on cities such as Haifa and Tel Aviv. During a televised speech on Tuesday, Kassem emphasized that Hezbollah’s mission is to “hurt the enemy” and promised to drive Israeli forces out of Lebanese and Palestinian territories. This marked Kassem’s third major address since the death of Hezbollah’s previous leader, Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs on September 27.
“We will defeat our enemies and drive them out of our lands,” Kassem asserted. His address underscored Hezbollah’s continued alignment with Palestinian militant groups, particularly Hamas, which has also been engaged in conflict with Israel for more than a year. Kassem accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of attempting to reshape the region to align with Israeli and American interests.
U.N. Calls for Independent Investigation in Lebanon
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated in recent months, with almost daily exchanges of cross-border fire, leading to increased international concern. On Tuesday, the United Nations human rights office called for an independent investigation into an Israeli airstrike that hit an apartment block in Aito, a village in northern Lebanon. The strike killed at least 22 people, including 12 women and two children. U.N. spokesperson Jeremy Laurence said the incident raised serious questions about compliance with international humanitarian law and the principles of proportionality and distinction.
The U.N. Security Council has been vocal about the risks of the ongoing conflict spilling over and destabilizing the wider Middle East. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated that attacks on civilians and U.N. peacekeepers could constitute war crimes. Since October 1, at least five UNIFIL peacekeepers have been injured, and U.N. facilities in southern Lebanon have been hit by Israeli airstrikes on more than 20 occasions, prompting the U.N. to issue warnings to all sides.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza and Lebanon
The situation in Gaza remains equally dire. Israel’s military campaign in the southern Gaza Strip has continued, with Palestinian health officials reporting at least 15 people killed overnight, including six children and two women. The ongoing conflict has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure, displacing over 2 million residents and leaving many without essential supplies such as food, water, and electricity.
The U.N. humanitarian office has described the situation in northern Gaza as “catastrophic,” warning that only three hospitals are currently operational. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric reported severe shortages of medical supplies, fuel, and food, emphasizing that the conflict has severely compromised people’s access to survival essentials. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also warned that medical facilities are overwhelmed, with hundreds of new patients requiring urgent care every day.
U.S. Pushes for Increased Humanitarian Aid
In response to the humanitarian crisis, the Biden administration has taken steps to pressure Israel into allowing more aid into Gaza. U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, sent a letter to their Israeli counterparts, urging an increase in humanitarian aid deliveries to the region. The letter, which was delivered over the weekend, highlighted that Israel must allow at least 350 aid trucks into Gaza daily, institute additional pauses in military operations, and enhance security measures at humanitarian sites to continue receiving U.S. military funding.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed that similar efforts in the past had temporarily improved the situation but warned that aid levels have since dropped. Miller stressed the need for Israel to take immediate action to restore and maintain humanitarian support to Gaza, where conditions continue to deteriorate.
Intensified Airstrikes Across Lebanon
The conflict has also intensified in Lebanon, where Israel has ramped up its airstrike campaign. According to reports from the state-run National News Agency, Israeli airstrikes targeted several villages in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley on Tuesday, resulting in numerous casualties. A strike on Qana, a town in Tyre province, killed at least one person and wounded 30 others, with several more believed to be trapped under the rubble. Similar strikes hit other villages, including Ain Baal, Majdalzon, and Al-Mansouri.
The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that an Israeli airstrike on Riyak in the Bekaa Valley killed five people, including three children, and injured 16. The continued bombardment has displaced thousands, further straining Lebanon’s already fragile economy. Lebanon’s crisis response unit reported that 2,350 people have been killed over the past year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with more than 10,000 wounded. The Ministry of Education added that 77% of public schools in Lebanon are currently out of service, with many being used as shelters for displaced families.
Regional Tensions and Broader Conflict
The renewed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has heightened regional tensions, drawing attention to Iran’s involvement. Hezbollah has received support from Iran, which has been accused of providing financial aid and weaponry to the group. In Tehran, Iranian officials have continued to express solidarity with Hezbollah, and a recent funeral service for an Iranian general killed alongside Hassan Nasrallah brought together top leaders of the Revolutionary Guard. Iranian General Ali Fadavi, speaking at the service, issued a direct threat to Israel, stating that “we can obliterate all the Zionists.”
Iran’s role in the conflict has also led to increased U.S. military presence in the region. The Pentagon recently deployed a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to Israel, alongside approximately 100 American troops, to bolster Israel’s air defenses. U.S. officials have indicated that the move was intended to deter further missile strikes from Iran, which has launched multiple attacks on Israel in recent months. However, the situation remains precarious, with ongoing fears that the conflict could widen into a broader regional war.
U.N. Appeals for Ceasefire and Protection of Civilians
The U.N. has made repeated calls for a ceasefire and emphasized the need to protect civilian lives on both sides. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the recent airstrike on Aito and urged all parties to comply with international law, particularly concerning the protection of non-combatants. “All actors must uphold obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, and do their utmost to protect civilians,” said U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
While diplomatic efforts continue, the conflict shows little sign of abating. Hezbollah’s leaders have remained defiant, and Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon have intensified, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire. The humanitarian situation remains critical, with organizations struggling to deliver aid under challenging conditions.
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