Amid escalating tension in the Middle East, Israel strikes at Lebanon in a pre-emptive move to prevent a large-scale attack by Iran-backed Hezbollah. The strike came on 25th August, after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were tipped off about Hezbollah's plans to launch fire strikes on Israel. However, the residents of Southern Lebanon were warned of the attack and were asked to leave immediately. Hezbollah's primary site of operations is based in South Lebanon, which was attacked.

Referring to the attack, IDF released an official statement that said, "Fighter jets are now attacking targets of the Hezbollah terrorist organisation that posed an immediate threat to the Israeli home front." "Following these attacks and in accordance with the assessment of the situation held by the Home Front Command, life-saving instructions will be distributed in some areas of the country," it added. 

Justifying the airstrike, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said, the attacks came in self-defence while expecting that Hezbollah would soon fire "rockets, and possibly missiles and UAVs, towards Israeli territory". ‌

The IDF is precautious this time as they have instructed the residents of Golan Heights ( where Hezbollah have previously fired rockets resulting in multiple casualties) to live around the bomb shelters and avoid unnecessary movements. 

Lebanese media have confirmed that around 40 Israeli strikes had been reported in the region as of the last update. Hezbollah has also confirmed that it had commenced the attacks in northern Israel. 

"As part of the initial response to the brutal Zionist aggression on the southern suburbs of Beirut, which led to the death of the great Jihad leader, Mr Fuad Shukr, our forces began a large-scale air attack towards the Zionist entity and towards a specific Israeli military target to be announced in the future."

strikes at Lebanon
Image Source: Wikipedia

History between Israel and Hezbollah

Israel and Hezbollah share a long history of conflicts and political tensions. In fact, Hezbollah was formed in Lebanon to counter the Israeli invasion during the Lebanese civil war. The group was formed with the backing of Iran to fight against the Israeli troops, and since then, Hezbollah has been a source of tension for Israel. It has resisted the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.

Israel has been actively involved in exchanging fires with Hezbollah in the Southern Lebanon border. Israel's tension with Gaza and Iran poses a serious possibility of a full-scale regional war. The clashes have led to more than 600 life losses in Lebanon since October, which includes more than 400 Hezbollah combatants and over 130 civilians, according to a Reuters toll.

War with Iran?

This attack could further trigger a war situation with Iran as they have promised revenge for the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh. Haniyeh was assassinated last month on a trip to Iran. After this, Iran vowed to avenge his death. Tehran delayed the attack after the Western nations, including the US, cautioned them of widespread war, which would affect the neighbouring area, turning into a full-scale regional war.

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