Hezbollah Launches Major Rocket Attack on Israel Amid Ongoing Ceasefire Negotiations
- Hezbollah launched approximately 250 rockets into Israel on a Sunday, injuring seven people.
- In retaliation, an Israeli strike on an army center in Lebanon killed a Lebanese soldier and injured 18 others.
- Since the beginning of the conflict, Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of over 40 Lebanese soldiers, while Lebanon's military has largely remained uninvolved.
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Hezbollah launched approximately 250 rockets into Israel on a Sunday, injuring seven people. This attack represents one of the group’s most significant retaliations in recent months, following Israeli airstrikes in Beirut.
Some rockets impacted the Tel Aviv area. In retaliation, an Israeli strike on an army center in Lebanon killed a Lebanese soldier and injured 18 others. The Israeli military stated the strike was part of ongoing operations against Hezbollah and expressed regret for the casualties.
Since the beginning of the conflict, Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of over 40 Lebanese soldiers, while Lebanon’s military has largely remained uninvolved. Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, condemned the Israeli strike, calling it a blow to ceasefire negotiations.
Background of the Conflict
Hezbollah began its attacks after Hamas’s assault from Gaza on October 7, 2023. The group claims these actions are in support of the Palestinians. Following these developments, Israel initiated airstrikes against Hezbollah. The situation escalated when Israeli airstrikes killed Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, marking the start of all-out war.
The Israeli military reported that some of the rockets were intercepted during the barrage on Sunday. Among the injured were a 60-year-old man in critical condition and a 70-year-old woman suffering from smoke inhalation after a fire broke out from a rocket strike.
In Haifa, a rocket hit a building, which authorities warned might collapse. Injuries were also reported in Tulkarem, where an interceptor missile struck several homes.
Impact of the Conflict
According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, Israeli airstrikes on Beirut killed at least 29 people and injured over 67. More than 3,700 people have died in Lebanon due to the fighting, displacing about 1.2 million individuals, which is roughly a quarter of the country’s population.
On the Israeli side, around 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians have died since the conflict escalated. Approximately 60,000 Israelis have fled from northern Israel.
International Response
Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat, called for more pressure on both Hezbollah and Israel to reach a ceasefire. He stated that the EU is prepared to offer 200 million euros in aid for the Lebanese military. However, Borrell noted a lack of interest from the Israeli government in reaching a ceasefire agreement.
The proposed ceasefire aims to allow the withdrawal of Hezbollah and Israeli troops from southern Lebanon and to increase the presence of Lebanese forces and U.N. peacekeepers in the area.
Hostage Situation and Humanitarian Impact
As discussions for a ceasefire and hostage release stall in Gaza, families of the hostages marked a year since the last release. Roughly 100 hostages remain in Gaza, with many believed to have died.
The Palestinian death toll in the conflict has surpassed 44,000, as reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry. The situation remains dire, with continued shelling resulting in civilian casualties. In central Gaza, six individuals were killed in recent strikes.
This ongoing conflict highlights the profound humanitarian crisis and the urgent need for a resolution.