Israel Hezbollah War: Hezbollah opened a new front on Saturday in the ongoing battle between Israel and regional foes. The Iran-aligned, militant Shia group launched dozens of rockets into Israel, targeting the town of Moshav Beit Hillel, leaving civilian casualties, as it said, in retaliation for recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon and Beirut that earlier targeted Hezbollah‘s positions and staff.
Regional Tensions Surge After Killing of Hamas Leader in Tehran
The Israeli military said its advanced Iron Dome defense system had intercepted most of the coming rockets. However, according to local media, there were several impacts near the community of Beit Hillel, with reports of fires in the area as well. The State of Israel condemned the attacks and promised to hit hard on any future aggression.
Rocket attacks come amidst heightened regional tensions after this week’s killing, in Tehran, of Ismail Haniyeh, political chief of Hamas. Iran, which backs Hezbollah and Hamas, has deplored the killing and threatened revenge against Israel. As things were escalating further, US President Joe Biden hoped Iran would deescalate the conflict, although he admitted not knowing what the actions of Iran were.
US Enhances Military Presence in the Middle East to Support Israel
It has announced plans to back its ally by beefing up military presence in the Middle East. The US move involved deploying to the region a USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group, additional missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers, and a new fighter squadron. With growing threats, this is for protection to American personnel and support towards the State of Israel.
A warning has been issued by the U.S. Embassy in Beirut for American citizens to leave Lebanon immediately due to the potential for escalating violence. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has announced that there were very valid concerns the situation in the region could rapidly deteriorate. Similar warnings have come from other countries such as Jordan, Canada, and India.
Iran Threatens Broader Attacks as Hezbollah May Target Deeper Inside Israel
Iran, blaming Israel for Haniyeh’s killing, has given an indication that Hezbollah might expand its attacks to deeper inside Israeli territory and beyond military targets. This adds further complexity to a conflict already involving various Iran-backed groups—protégés from Yemen, Iraq, and Syria pitted against Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
To make matters worse, there are reports that an Israeli drone strike over the weekend on a southern Lebanese town called Bazourieh killed a top Hezbollah operative named Ali Abd Ali. Hezbollah has confirmed his death and promised to avenge it, as two people were injured in the strike.
West Bank Violence Escalates
The conflict spilled over into the West Bank, apart from violence in Lebanon and Israel, where Israeli strikes on a Hamas-controlled school compound in Gaza City had killed 17 people.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a statement with his French and British counterparts, urged restraint from all sides, stressing the need for urgent de-escalation of tensions to avoid further loss of life.