Israeli forces continued their military operations in southern Lebanon and the outskirts of Beirut on Friday, targeting Hezbollah in a series of airstrikes and engaging in ground clashes with the Iran-backed armed group. The strikes, which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated were part of an ongoing effort to degrade Hezbollah’s military capabilities, resulted in significant destruction and at least five casualties in the area.
According to the IDF, the Israel Air Force (IAF) conducted four waves of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah command centers, weapons depots, and other infrastructure in Dahieh, a densely populated area of Beirut known to be a Hezbollah stronghold. The strikes were described as a methodical effort to dismantle weapons production and storage facilities that Hezbollah has established over years.
Check out this strike!
It appears every single Hezbollah building in Beirut will be targeted in the next few weeks.
Dahieh will look like Gaza. 100% https://t.co/4pfX8HAiYs pic.twitter.com/vSbssUfA2T
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) November 22, 2024
In southern Lebanon, ground clashes erupted between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. The area has been a focal point of tensions and sporadic violence as Hezbollah continues to exchange fire with Israeli forces along the border.
IDF troops from the 7th Armored Brigade discovered a Hezbollah anti-tank missile post in southern Lebanon, where a Hezbollah terrorist was eliminated in a recent airstrike.
They found Kornet missiles and a drone ready for launch at Israel. Operating under the 98th Division, the… pic.twitter.com/hug6WbFcDT
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) November 22, 2024
The intensification of hostilities coincided with diplomatic efforts led by U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein, who has been shuttling between Lebanon and Israel in pursuit of a truce. While Hochstein described a ceasefire as “within our grasp” earlier this week, the latest surge in violence dampened hopes of an imminent resolution. Hochstein met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant before returning to continue talks in the region.
