A Lebanese citizen was killed, and another was wounded on Thursday in Israeli bombardment of the town of Kafr in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese National News Agency reported that the Israeli raid on the town this morning resulted in one death and one injury. Israeli aircraft also attacked the outskirts of the town of Aita al-Shaab in southern Lebanon, while several areas witnessed intense warplane activity. The skirmishes between Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and the Israeli army have not ceased since the start of the Israeli war on the besieged Gaza Strip last October. Israel has carried out numerous strikes on Hezbollah positions, targeting leaders, including the prominent Fuad Shukr, for whom the group has vowed revenge.
Since the onset of the Israel-Gaza conflict in October 2023, tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have significantly escalated. The conflict has intensified with frequent exchanges of fire across the Israel-Lebanon border, marking some of the worst hostilities since the 2006 conflict. This has been partly triggered by Hezbollah’s increased armament and violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which demands the disarmament of armed groups in Lebanon other than the national military and UN peacekeepers.
Israel has conducted preemptive strikes in Lebanon to thwart potential attacks by Hezbollah, targeting rocket launchers and other military installations. Despite these actions, Hezbollah has managed to launch hundreds of rockets and drones into northern Israel, causing limited damage but significant tensions. The Israeli military’s operations aim to push Hezbollah back and prevent further escalation, though a full-scale conflict remains a concern due to the potential for a broader regional conflagration.
Hezbollah has shown some restraint after their recent operations against Israel, likely due to the severe consequences a full-scale war could entail for both Lebanon and Israel. The situation remains precarious, with ongoing diplomatic efforts aiming to de-escalate tensions and prevent a larger conflict.
