Israeli Airstrikes Target Hezbollah Rocket Launchers Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions

Southern Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launched intense strikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon on Thursday, targeting hundreds of rocket launchers that were poised to fire towards Israeli territory, according to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).

The strikes hit around 100 launchers, containing roughly 1,000 rocket barrels, as reported by Reuters.

Hezbollah’s Response and Rising Tensions

The airstrikes came just hours after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah issued a stern warning, vowing “tough retribution and just punishment” for a series of explosive attacks that crippled the group’s communication systems.

The attacks, which detonated hundreds of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah, killed 37 people and injured around 3,000, igniting fears of further escalation.

Key Developments in the Middle East

1. US Calls for Diplomacy: The White House stressed the urgency of a diplomatic solution to defuse tensions in the Middle East. Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated that the situation could spiral into war without immediate intervention.
2. Lebanon Accuses Israel: Lebanon’s UN mission accused Israel of orchestrating the attacks on Hezbollah’s communication devices, as detailed in a letter to the Security Council. The letter noted that pagers and radios, rigged with explosives, were remotely detonated via electronic messages.
3. Taiwanese Pager Company Involved: Taiwanese company Gold Apollo, linked to the pagers that exploded in Lebanon, denied involvement in the attacks. Its president, Hsu Ching-kuang, claimed the devices were manufactured by Budapest-based BAC, which holds a license for the Gold Apollo brand.
4. US and France Urge Restraint: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, alongside French officials, called for de-escalation, particularly concerning Lebanon, as the threat of a full-scale conflict looms.
5. Israel’s “New Phase” of War: Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant stated that the country had entered “a new phase” of its ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, emphasizing the need for perseverance in the war effort.

Cross-Border Conflict Reaches New Heights The covert attacks on Hezbollah’s communication infrastructure mark a new front in the conflict, which has been brewing since the Gaza war erupted last October.

Both Hezbollah and Israel have exchanged near-daily fire, with casualties mounting on both sides. Security sources have suggested that the pager explosions were the work of Mossad, although Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.

As tensions rise, there are growing fears that the conflict could escalate into a broader regional war, particularly with Hezbollah’s alliance with Hamas and backing from Iran.