A series of Israeli airstrikes and retaliatory rocket attacks by Hezbollah marked Wednesday as the deadliest day in over five months of conflict. The Israeli military’s operations targeted multiple factions, including a Lebanese Sunni political and militant group, the Islamic Group, which has allied with the Shiite Hezbollah against Israel. The airstrikes resulted in the death of 16 people, including two Hezbollah fighters, a commander of the Amal Movement (another Shiite faction), and several members of the Islamic Group.
The first airstrike struck a paramedic center affiliated with the Islamic Group in the village of Hebbariye, killing seven members. Israel attributed this attack to targeting militants involved in operations against it. Major General Ori Gordin, head of Israel’s Northern Command, emphasized the broader context of the ongoing war, indicating a significant focus on the Islamic Group alongside continued strikes against Hezbollah.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel, notably impacting the city of Kiryat Shmona and a military base. These attacks resulted in the death of a 25-year-old Israeli man due to a direct hit on an industrial park, which ignited a substantial fire. Additionally, about 30 rockets were launched from Lebanon towards northern Israel, according to the Israeli military, demonstrating the intensity of the retaliation.
The airstrikes and rocket attacks have deeply affected civilians on both sides. In Hebbariye, a local bakery owner, Nada Khleif, lamented the loss of her only means of livelihood due to the airstrike that heavily damaged her business. Further Israeli strikes in Teir Harfa and Naqoura escalated the death toll and caused significant damage, affecting paramedics and local commanders among others.
The violence is part of a near-daily exchange of strikes between Israel and Hezbollah, starting from the Israel-Gaza conflict that escalated after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel. International efforts are underway to prevent a full-scale war, but the situation remains volatile. The ongoing conflict has resulted in casualties on both sides, with civilians and fighters among the dead.
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