The Israeli leader vowed to take “whatever action is necessary” to diminish the threat posed by Hezbollah. A senior official with the militant group warned that an overnight barrage of missiles against Israel was “just the beginning.”The New York Times reports that on Sept. 22, 2024 at 4:22 p.m. ET, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel will take necessary action to reduce the threat posed by Hezbollah. This comes after the deputy leader of the Iranian-backed Lebanese militia warned that the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is entering a new stage. The escalating violence has raised concerns internationally that the region is on the brink of a larger catastrophe.

Hezbollah launched over 100 rockets, missiles, and drones at Israeli territory overnight in response to attacks against the group in Lebanon. These attacks included exploding pagers and walkie-talkies, as well as airstrikes against senior commanders. In a recorded statement, Mr. Netanyahu alluded to these attacks, stating that Israel had dealt a series of blows that Hezbollah did not anticipate. He also promised that if Hezbollah did not understand the message, they would understand it now.

The Israeli military’s chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, condemned Hezbollah’s overnight attack and stated that their strikes will intensify. Hezbollah claimed that their assault targeted Israeli military bases, including one near Haifa on the coast. The Israeli military reported that most of the missiles were intercepted, but a town north of Haifa was hit directly. As a result, officials have tightened restrictions on public gatherings in areas including the Golan Heights and Galilee.

The barrages of rockets and missiles were the most distant strikes into Israeli territory since Hezbollah began firing at Israel over a year ago in solidarity with Hamas. They appeared to be carefully calculated, targeting a major city but avoiding the center of the country to avoid a harsher response from Israel. However, Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, warned at a funeral for one of their commanders killed in an Israeli strike that this was just the beginning.

President Biden expressed concern about the rising tensions and stated that the U.S. will do everything possible to prevent a wider war from breaking out. The United Nations’ special coordinator for Lebanon emphasized that there is no military solution to this conflict and that civilians on both sides are paying a high price. The European Union’s top diplomat also called for an end to the violence, stating that it will be a top focus at the upcoming U.N. General Assembly. 

Source:Read More