Israel struck about 800 Hezbollah targets, killing at least 492 people, including 35 children, in the deadliest strikes on Lebanon since October 2023. Over 1,645 people were wounded. In retaliation, Hezbollah fired a barrage of missiles at Israeli air bases.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a social media post on X, tried to assure the people of Lebanon that the war was not on them. He said Israel’s war is with Hezbollah. Netanyahu highlighted that the Iran-backed militant group, for too long, has been using the people of Lebanon as human shields. He said Hezbollah militants placed rockets in the people of Lebanon’s living rooms and missiles in garages.
The Israeli PM defends the IDF’s strike saying the people of Lebanon were warned to get out of harm’s way. He urged the neighboring country to take their warnings seriously and not to let Hezbollah endanger their lives and Lebanon.
The latest attack by Israel follows the mobile devices (pagers and walkie-talkies) explosions last Tuesday
Also Read: Iran Executed 1,425 People Since 2022 Mahsa Amini Death Protests: Report
Lebanon State Media Describes Israel as ‘Enemy’
National News Agency, Lebanon’s state media said Israel struck Lebanon’s east after deadly strikes on the south and east. It stated that ‘enemy raids’ targeted the mountain areas in the Baalbek region, as well as several towns and villages. The agency highlighted that the ‘Israeli enemy’ launched an attack on the town of Hermel.
Mixed reactions are coming from the Western countries. The United States is bolstering its forces in the Middle East to strengthen its ally Israel—the Pentagon press secretary Air Force Maj. Gen Pat Ryder said that given the increased tensions in the Middle East, the US is sending a small number of additional military personnel forward to augment the forces already in the region. The US maintains that Israel has every right to defend itself.
European Countries Condemn Israeli Attacks On Lebanon
Irene Montero, the Spanish politician, condemned Israel’s strike as ‘terrorist attacks’ across Lebanon. She said the dignity of humanity depends on their ability to stop these genocidal criminals, despite the shameless support they receive from their elites in Europe.
Belgian MEP Marc Botenga rebuked Israel for committing genocide in Gaza. He said an Israeli minister threatens to do the same in the West Bank and another speaks of annihilating Lebanon. The politician criticized the EU for continuing to support Israel.
Meanwhile, the French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called for an emergency meeting of the Security Council to be held in Lebanon. He urged Israel and Hezbollah to avoid a regional conflagration that would be devastating for everyone.
