In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Hezbollah launched dozens of rockets from Lebanon into Israel on Saturday, sparking widespread fears of a full-scale war between the two enemies. The Iran-backed group said the attack was in response to Israel’s recent strikes on Lebanese villages, which it claimed had injured civilians.
According to Israeli media, some 50 rockets were fired from southern Lebanon towards the upper Galilee region, prompting the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to activate its Iron Dome defense system. The IDF later confirmed that “most” of the approximately 30 “projectiles” fired on Saturday night had been intercepted, with no reports of injuries or damage.
The crisis in the Middle East has been intensifying in recent days, following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, just a day after an Israeli strike in Beirut killed Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah commander. The killings have sent shockwaves throughout the region, with many fearing that the situation could spiral out of control.
Hezbollah, which has long been a thorn in the side of Israel, said it was acting in response to Israel’s attacks on the Lebanese villages of Kfarkela and Deir Siriane. The group claimed that the strikes had injured civilians, and that it was exercising its right to self-defense.
“The Israeli enemy has gone too far in its aggression, and we will not stand idly by,” a Hezbollah statement said. “We will continue to defend our people and our land, and we will not be deterred by the threats of the enemy.”
The Israeli military, however, said it had targeted Hezbollah positions in Lebanon in response to the rocket fire. “We will not tolerate any attacks on our territory, and we will respond with force to any aggression,” an IDF spokesperson said.
The exchange of fire has sparked widespread concern, with many fearing that the situation could escalate into a full-scale war. The United Nations has called for calm, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urging both sides to exercise restraint.
“The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East, and he calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint,” a UN statement said. “He urges both sides to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the region, and to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.”
The United States has also weighed in, with the State Department condemning the rocket fire and urging Hezbollah to stop its “destructive and destabilizing actions”.
“We call on Hezbollah to stop its rocket attacks and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Israel,” a State Department spokesperson said. “We also urge Israel to exercise restraint and to avoid any actions that could escalate the situation.”
The crisis has also sparked concern among Palestinian leaders, who fear that a full-scale war could have devastating consequences for the Palestinian people.
“We urge both sides to exercise restraint and to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict,” said a spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority. “We also call on the international community to intervene and to help prevent a further escalation of the situation.”
As tensions continue to mount, residents of southern Lebanon and northern Israel are bracing themselves for the worst. Many have fled their homes, seeking shelter in safer areas, while others are stocking up on food and supplies in preparation for a prolonged conflict.
“I’m scared, I don’t know what will happen next,” said one resident of the Lebanese village of Kfarkela. “We just want to live in peace, but it seems like that’s impossible.”
The situation remains volatile, with both sides dug in and refusing to back down. As the world watches with bated breath, one thing is clear: the Middle East is on the brink of a major conflict, and it will take a concerted effort from all parties involved to prevent a full-scale war.
As the situation continues to unfold, it’s unclear what the next few days will bring. Will Hezbollah continue to launch rockets into Israel, or will it heed the calls for restraint? Will Israel respond with force, or will it seek a diplomatic solution? One thing is certain: the Middle East is on the brink of a major conflict, and it will take a concerted effort from all parties involved to prevent a full-scale war. Stay tuned for further updates as this story continues to develop.
