Written By Lisa Murimi
On Sunday morning, Israel launched a series of pre-emptive airstrikes across southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah’s rocket launchers to prevent a large-scale attack.Â
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that over 100 fighter jets were involved in destroying thousands of Hezbollah rocket launchers in more than 40 locations.
Despite the strikes, Hezbollah claimed it successfully fired 320 rockets and drones at Israel in retaliation for the assassination of one of its senior commanders, Fuad Shukr, who was killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut last month.
The IDF confirmed the death of an Israeli Navy soldier during these exchanges.
The situation marks the most significant escalation since the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, raising fears of a broader conflict.
The United States is working to prevent further escalation, as hostilities between Israel and Lebanon have been ongoing for nearly ten months, following the start of the war between Israel and Hamas.
Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, vowed to continue the group’s operations if necessary, while Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati called for international intervention to halt the escalation and support a Gaza ceasefire.
The White House stressed the importance of avoiding a regional war, emphasizing the need for a resolution to the conflict.
