Israeli warplanes launched a relentless assault on Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon on Saturday, marking the most intense border confrontations in nearly two decades. This escalation came in response to a barrage of rockets unleashed by the terrorist organization into northern Israel. The situation quickly escalated, fueling concerns of a potential regional conflict. Merely a day prior, Hezbollah’s charismatic leader, Hassan Nasrallah, issued a menacing threat to intensify the war against Israel, ominously warning of an impending “true battle.”
With unwavering support from Iran, Nasrallah’s heavily armed group executed coordinated attacks on Israeli positions along the Lebanese border. Meanwhile, residents in southern Lebanon bore witness to the most ferocious Israeli airstrikes to date. The IDF conducted airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in response to their attack, employing a combination of artillery and tank shelling, as stated by the Israeli Defence Forces. In light of the volatile security situation, the US government issued a warning to American citizens, urging them to evacuate Lebanon. The US embassy in Beirut emphasized the absence of assurances regarding crisis evacuations.
According to sources in Lebanon, a new missile was launched by Hezbollah during the recent fighting, which struck an Israeli position near Ayta al-Shaab and Rmeich. In response to the attack, Hezbollah claimed to have targeted six Israeli border posts, causing significant damage. Reports suggest that the group used Burkan missiles, which are known for their destructive power and have been used in the past by Hezbollah and Syrian forces. These weapons are capable of carrying 1,100lb warheads and have been used to destroy fortifications belonging to Syrian opposition fighters.
Hezbollah said one of its fighters was killed on the border, raising the death toll for the militant group since the fighting began to 56.
