Shreya Varanasi, Pune
On Tuesday, Iran launched over 100 missiles at Israel after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began a ground incursion in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah. This move intensified their campaign against the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group while also furthering their conflict with Iranian-aligned groups. The operation comes after Israel launched a series of deadly raids on Hezbollah, including one that supposedly killed its long-time commander, Hassan Nasrallah.
An official statement issued by the Israeli military said the “limited, localised” operation against Hezbollah targets the militants’ positions in southern Lebanon today. The operation conducted “targeted ground raids” in areas near the Israeli border. They explained that these goals are located in border-adjacent communities and pose a direct danger to Israeli settlements in the northern area.
This is the first ground battle between Israel and Hezbollah since their month-long conflict in 2006. The operation intends to put more pressure on Hezbollah, which has been shooting missiles into northern Israel since the commencement of violence in Gaza.
On Tuesday, the US claimed it had signs that Iran is “preparing to imminently launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel.” A White House official cautioned that any direct military action by Iran against Israel would have serious consequences for Tehran. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu has urged Israelis to obey the safety guidelines provided by the home front command. Netanyahu underlined the need to properly follow the directions of the military’s home front command, urging civilians to “stand together.”
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged for a quick cease-fire in Lebanon, as well as respect for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Monday, warned Iran which backs Hezbollah (in Lebanon) and Hamas (in Gaza) during his address at the United Nations General Assembly. In his strongly worded speech, Netanyahu said that there was nowhere in the Middle East that Israel could not reach with its long arm. His speech came days after a strike by Israel killed the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah. Israel had also assassinated several of the militant group’s top commanders. Hezbollah’s acting leader Nain Kaseem promised that the group would keep fighting. He further added that the group has replaced the slain soldiers and the fighters are ready.