Israel has escalated its military operations in Lebanon by deploying a fourth division, signaling an expansion of its ground offensive. This move follows another night of intense airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon. The operation, known as Operation Northern Arrows, aims to target Hezbollah’s infrastructure along the disputed border region. For more details, refer to the original report on the ongoing conflict, published by The Guardian.
Newstro Quick Facts
- Israel deployed its fourth division to southern Lebanon, bringing the estimated number of Israeli troops on the ground to 15,000. This escalation is part of the ongoing offensive against Hezbollah’s presence near the border, following intensive airstrikes across Lebanon.
- Hezbollah’s acting leader, Naim Qassem, stated that despite heavy airstrikes, the group’s military capabilities remain operational, and they have successfully launched rockets into northern Israeli cities such as Haifa.
- Israeli airstrikes continue to target key areas in Lebanon, including the Bekaa Valley and Beirut’s southern suburbs, following statements from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about degrading Hezbollah’s leadership, including the reported killing of Hashem Safieddine.
In an intense escalation of its ongoing military campaign, Israel has deployed a fourth division to southern Lebanon, increasing the presence of ground forces engaged in the fight against Hezbollah. This follows a series of heavy airstrikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in southern and eastern Lebanon. Israel’s military, the IDF, has stated that this operation is intended to prevent Hezbollah from further entrenching itself near the blue line, the disputed border between the two countries. However, the rapid deployment of four divisions, combined with evacuation orders for villages near the border, suggests Israel is preparing for a more extensive offensive.
In response, Hezbollah’s acting leader, Naim Qassem, delivered a defiant speech, asserting that the group’s military strength remains intact despite two weeks of Israeli airstrikes. Qassem reassured supporters that Hezbollah’s rocket capabilities are still operational, with hundreds of rockets and drones being deployed against northern Israel. This comes after the killing of Hezbollah’s longtime leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in a previous Israeli strike. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu further claimed that his forces had eliminated Hashem Safieddine, the man expected to succeed Nasrallah.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes continue to pound southern Beirut and the Bekaa Valley, regions that serve as key strongholds for Hezbollah. Hezbollah responded by launching more than 85 projectiles toward the Israeli city of Haifa, most of which were intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems. Civilian casualties on both sides have continued to rise, with the Lebanese health ministry reporting dozens of deaths from Israeli airstrikes in the last 24 hours. The ongoing conflict, which began when Hezbollah initiated attacks in solidarity with Palestinian forces in Gaza, now threatens to escalate further, drawing in regional actors like Iran and the United States.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| IDF | The Israel Defense Forces, the military forces of the State of Israel, responsible for land, air, and sea operations. |
| Hezbollah | A Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and militant group, designated as a terrorist organization by various countries including the U.S. and Israel. |
| Naim Qassem | The acting secretary-general of Hezbollah, currently leading the group after the death of Hassan Nasrallah. |
| Benjamin Netanyahu | The Prime Minister of Israel, known for his strong stance on defense and national security. |
| Blue Line | The border demarcation between Israel and Lebanon, established by the United Nations to confirm Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon. |
| Hashem Safieddine | The head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council and a key figure expected to succeed Hassan Nasrallah as the group’s leader. |
| Bekaa Valley | A region in eastern Lebanon known as a stronghold for Hezbollah and a frequent target of Israeli airstrikes. |
| Operation Northern Arrows | Israel’s military operation aimed at targeting Hezbollah’s infrastructure in southern Lebanon and securing the northern border. |
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