In a significant escalation of tensions between Israel and Lebanon, an Israeli strike on Monday evening targeted a Hezbollah arms depot in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley, according to two security sources who spoke to Reuters. The strike has raised concerns of a potential wider conflict in the region, as residents of cities and towns in northern Israel have been instructed to stay close to shelters following the blast.
The Israeli strike, which occurred at approximately 9pm local time, is believed to have caused significant damage to the Hezbollah arms depot, although the exact extent of the destruction is not yet clear. The depot, located in the Bekaa Valley, is a strategic location for Hezbollah, which has been involved in a long-standing conflict with Israel.
The strike comes as tensions between Israel and Lebanon have been running high in recent months, with Hezbollah and other armed groups in Lebanon trading fire with Israel in parallel with the ongoing Gaza war. The conflict in Gaza, which began in May, has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians and has sparked widespread international condemnation of Israel’s actions.
Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon have become increasingly common in recent months, with the Israeli military regularly targeting Hezbollah fighters and rocket launch sites. However, strikes on arms depots have been relatively rare, making Monday’s strike a significant escalation of Israel’s military campaign.
Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, has been a thorn in the side of Israel for decades, and the two sides have clashed repeatedly over the years. In 2006, a 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 Lebanese civilians and caused widespread destruction in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military has not commented on the strike, but Israeli media outlets have reported that residents of cities and towns in northern Israel have been instructed to stay close to shelters following the blast. This is a clear indication that Israel is preparing for potential retaliation from Hezbollah, which has vowed to respond to any Israeli aggression.
The strike has also sparked concern among the international community, with many countries calling for restraint and a de-escalation of tensions. The United Nations has issued a statement urging both sides to exercise caution and to avoid any actions that could lead to a wider conflict.
In Lebanon, the government has condemned the Israeli strike, with Prime Minister Hassan Diab calling it a “flagrant violation of Lebanese sovereignty.” The Lebanese government has also urged the international community to intervene to prevent any further escalation of tensions.
As the situation continues to unfold, residents of northern Israel and southern Lebanon are bracing themselves for potential further violence. The strike has sparked widespread fear and anxiety, with many people expressing concerns about the potential for a wider conflict.
“I’m scared, I don’t know what will happen next,” said one resident of the northern Israeli city of Haifa. “I just want the violence to stop and for there to be peace.”
In southern Lebanon, residents are also on high alert, with many people stocking up on food and supplies in preparation for a potential prolonged conflict. “We’re used to the sound of gunfire and explosions, but this feels different,” said one resident of the southern Lebanese town of Tyre. “I’m worried about what the future holds.”
As the international community watches with bated breath, one thing is clear: the situation in the region is highly volatile and has the potential to escalate into a wider conflict at any moment. The Israeli strike on the Hezbollah arms depot has raised the stakes, and it remains to be seen how Hezbollah will respond.
In the meantime, residents of northern Israel and southern Lebanon can only wait and hope that the violence will soon come to an end. As one resident of Haifa put it, “We just want to live in peace and quiet. Is that too much to ask?”
