Hezbollah announced on Monday that it carried out a series of operations targeting a number of Israeli military sites.
In separate statements, Hezbollah said: “In support of our resilient Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and backing their resistance, and in response to the Israeli enemy’s attacks on the resilient southern villages and safe homes, today, Monday, September 2, 2024, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted:
• A building used by enemy soldiers in the Avivim settlement with appropriate weapons, achieving a direct hit.
• A building used by enemy soldiers in the Menara settlement with appropriate weapons, achieving a direct hit.
• Enemy troop positions on Mount Adathir with artillery shells, achieving a direct hit.”
The recent tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have seen significant escalations, particularly since October last year when Hezbollah launched rocket strikes following a Hamas attack on Israel. This has resulted in almost daily exchanges of fire between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah, significantly affecting both Israel and Lebanon. More than 60,000 Israelis and an estimated 94,000 Lebanese have been displaced due to the ongoing hostilities, which have included the use of sophisticated weaponry such as drones and guided missiles by Hezbollah.
The escalation intensified following a targeted killing of a Hezbollah commander by Israel, which led to retaliatory attacks by Hezbollah, including rocket and missile barrages that caused fires across northern Israel. The violence has continued with significant tolls on civilian life and infrastructure in both countries.
Despite the severe impact, both sides have so far avoided a full-scale war, largely due to a delicate balance of power and the high stakes involved. Hezbollah, while continuing its assaults, seems to be calibrating its military activities, likely due to the severe domestic crises Lebanon is facing, which include an economic collapse and political instability.
Diplomatic efforts, including those by the U.S., are ongoing, with the aim of de-escalating the situation. Special Presidential Envoy Amos Hochstein has been actively involved in shuttle diplomacy to help manage the tensions.
