Israel Intensifies Strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon, As Global Leaders Call for Diplomacy at the U.N.
BEIRUT — Israel continued its heavy bombardment of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Tuesday, intensifying military action despite growing international pleas for a ceasefire. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported hitting 1,500 Hezbollah sites across Lebanon over the past 24 hours as part of an ongoing campaign to dismantle the militant group’s capabilities.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to pacifying Hezbollah and ensuring the safety of northern Israeli residents. Speaking to Israeli soldiers on the northern front, Gallant stressed the importance of the mission, stating, “We must continue until we achieve our goal — to ensure the safe return of Israel’s northern residents to their homes.”
Since Monday, the strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 569 people, including 50 children, with an additional 1,850 people injured, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Tens of thousands of civilians have fled their homes in southern Lebanon, with many seeking refuge in Beirut or attempting to cross the border into Syria. The ongoing airstrikes have also displaced an estimated 110,000 people, straining Lebanon’s humanitarian resources.
Israel Targets Hezbollah Commanders
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, IDF’s military spokesperson, emphasized that Israel was targeting Hezbollah’s military infrastructure to weaken the group’s operational capabilities. The strikes have focused on southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and the capital, Beirut. The IDF claimed responsibility for killing Ibrahim Qubaisi, a top Hezbollah commander overseeing missile and rocket operations. However, Hezbollah did not immediately confirm the death, and independent verification is still pending.
“We are striking hard because we want this operation to be as short as possible,” Hagari said. Despite this, he acknowledged that the military campaign could extend longer if necessary.
Hezbollah responded by launching rockets into northern Israel, including an attack on an explosives factory in Zichron, almost 40 miles inside Israel. No Israeli casualties have been reported from the rocket attacks, but structural damage occurred in multiple areas.
Civilians Flee as Tensions Mount
As the conflict intensifies, thousands of Lebanese civilians continue to flee to safer areas. Many have traveled north, where local authorities have opened schools and community centers as temporary shelters. Lebanon’s Disaster Risk Management agency reported that nearly 300 shelters are now housing displaced residents. The situation remains dire, with families often fleeing with minimal belongings, uncertain of when they will be able to return.
In southern Lebanon, the relentless Israeli bombardment has caused widespread panic. “The bombing is non-stop; people are definitely leaving,” said Salim Murad, the mayor of Aitaroun, a village near the Israeli border.
International airlines have suspended flights in and out of Beirut as the security situation deteriorates. Lebanon’s Rafic Hariri International Airport announced the cancellation of 30 additional flights on Tuesday, as air traffic dwindled due to the conflict.
Global Leaders Urge Diplomacy
At the United Nations General Assembly in New York, world leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, urged for diplomacy to deescalate the situation. In his address, Biden warned of the dangers of a broader regional war and emphasized the importance of finding a diplomatic solution to end the violence.
“Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest. The situation has escalated, but a solution remains the only path to lasting security for both sides,” Biden said. The U.S. has also committed to deploying a small number of additional forces to the Middle East to help stabilize the region.
Other world leaders, including representatives from the European Union, China, and Saudi Arabia, expressed concerns about the conflict’s potential to destabilize the broader Middle East. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, en route to New York, is expected to call for international support to bring about a ceasefire.
Outlook
As Israeli strikes continue, and Hezbollah retaliates, the conflict shows no signs of abating. While international diplomatic efforts are underway, both sides remain entrenched in their positions, and the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon deepens. The international community watches closely, hoping that diplomacy can prevent the conflict from escalating further.
