The Israeli military has launched attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon amid ongoing cross-border exchanges of fire, raising concerns that the conflict might expand widely.
Major General Eyal Zamir, Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), confirmed that Israel has begun proactive operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the fighting could last for several days.
He stated that Israel will no longer remain on the defensive but will proceed with attacks, preparing continuously for both defense and offense in waves, emphasizing that the military must be ready for combat potentially lasting several days.
Lebanon's Ministry of Health revealed that Israeli airstrikes in Beirut and southern parts of the country have resulted in at least 31 deaths and 149 injuries.
However, these figures are preliminary and may change as further assessments are made.
Before announcing the new round of attacks, senior Israeli military officials warned that Hezbollah would suffer heavy losses due to its attacks on Israeli civilians.
Rafi Milo, Commander of the IDF Northern Command, stated in a briefing that Hezbollah chose to side with Iran over Lebanon's interests and was the first to attack Israeli civilians.
He affirmed that Israel will continue to protect people in the northern region and will not evacuate residents there. Meanwhile, the military is evacuating civilians from southern Lebanon ahead of further strikes, noting that the intensity of attacks will increase.
The clashes between Israel and Hezbollah occur as the Middle East faces turmoil following attacks on Iran, increasing the risk that the conflict could spread to multiple countries.
Analysts believe that if the attacks continue for several days as declared by the Israeli military, the region could enter a new period of instability that will be difficult to control, affecting the stability of Lebanon, Israel, and Gulf countries in the near future.
Source:BBC
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