Israel Launches Deadly Airstrike on Hezbollah Bases Amid Ceasefire Violations
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Israel carried out massive airstrikes in Lebanon on Saturday in retaliation for a rocket attack launched from Lebanon. The conflict, which has been ongoing for the past four months, has escalated between Israel and Hezbollah, with these airstrikes resulting in at least six fatalities. Five individuals, including a child, died in an attack on the village of Toulin in southern Lebanon, and ten others were injured. Another airstrike on the coastal city of Sidon killed one person and injured seven others. In the village of Hosh al-Sayed Ali, located near the Syrian border, five people were also injured.
The Israeli army reported that Lebanon had fired six rockets at Metula, an Israeli border town, three of which crossed into Israeli territory but were intercepted. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office ordered military action against several targets in Lebanon, particularly in areas where Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group, operates. While Israel has not confirmed the identity of the group behind the rocket attack, it claims to have struck Hezbollah's command center and rocket launchers.
These attacks have undermined recent ceasefire talks. Just days earlier, Israel resumed military operations against Hamas in Gaza. Hezbollah has denied involvement in the rocket attack, asserting its commitment to maintaining the ceasefire. Lebanon's Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, has instructed the army to take necessary actions to protect the southern region but emphasized Lebanon's desire to avoid a return to war.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah reignited following the Hamas attack on October 7. Since then, the violence has intensified, with many senior Hezbollah leaders killed in Israeli airstrikes. Over 4,000 people have died in Lebanon, while approximately 60,000 Israelis have been displaced.
Under the ceasefire agreement, Israel was supposed to withdraw its troops from Lebanon by January’s end, with a deadline extension to February 18. Lebanon has called on the United Nations to pressure Israel to fulfill the terms of the withdrawal. The United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL) expressed concern over the renewed violence and urged all parties to prevent further escalation. Meanwhile, Israel's military operation in Gaza continues, with airstrikes killing at least nine people, including three children, on Friday night. Israeli officials have vowed to intensify operations until all hostages are released.
In the midst of this turmoil, the hopes of ceasefire advocates seem to be fading, with both sides locked in a deadly struggle, while civilians continue to suffer the consequences of escalating violence. Despite calls for peace and diplomacy, the region remains on the brink of further devastation, as Israel and Lebanon face an uncertain path forward.
