Esther Salifu
Israel unleashed dozens of airstrikes on Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, killing 492 people, including 35 children and 58 women, and displacing thousands.
“We are witnessing the most difficult week for Hezbollah since its establishment,” said Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. “Entire units were taken out of battle as a result of the activities conducted at the beginning of the week, in which numerous terrorists were injured.”
Hezbollah retaliated with volleys of missiles aimed at Israeli military bases.
The violence has sparked international alarm, with UN Chief Antonio Guterres’s spokesman stating he is “gravely alarmed” and EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell warning, “we are almost in a full-fledged war.”
“The resistance is in a new phase of confrontation with the Israeli enemy,” said Hezbollah in a statement.
The overnight strikes followed a barrage of 180 missiles and an unmanned aerial vehicle launched by Hezbollah into Israeli airspace, prompting panic in the city of Haifa.
“Everyone is heading to Beirut with their children and belongings – it’s the first time we’ve seen such panic since 2006,” said Lebanese journalist Nazir Reda.
Israel’s “Operation Northern Arrows” aims to shift focus from Gaza to Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah’s combat infrastructure.
