In a significant escalation of tensions in West Asia, Hezbollah has launched a retaliatory attack against Israel, marking the first phase of its response to the assassination of Fouad Shukur, a high-ranking Hezbollah military leader. The attack, which occurred this morning, comes more than three weeks after Shukur’s death in the southern suburbs of Beirut on July 30.
According to a statement released by Hezbollah, the group initiated an attack using a large number of drones and missiles on Israeli territory. However, the group did not provide specific details about the damage inflicted.
Meanwhile, Israel announced that it had carried out preemptive strikes using 100 fighter jets in Lebanon prior to Hezbollah’s attack. The Israeli military stated that it had detected preparations for large-scale attacks against Israel, prompting the action. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that thousands of rockets were destroyed in the bombings, and over 40 launch platforms were hit, some of which were allegedly targeting positions in central Israel.
The Israeli response has led to conflicting narratives about the sequence and effectiveness of the attacks. While Israel suggests that its pre-emptive strike significantly reduced the impact of Hezbollah’s retaliation, Hezbollah maintains that its operation was a success and denies the Israeli claims. . The full extent of the damage and casualties on both sides remains unclear.
This escalation occurs against the backdrop of stalled cease-fire negotiations in Cairo regarding the situation in Gaza. The talks appear to be at an impasse, with Israel presenting what some consider maximalist demands, including a military presence in the South and Centre of Gaza. Iran, a key ally of Hezbollah, seems to be taking a more measured approach. Despite the recent assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran appears to be delaying its own retaliation, possibly in an effort to give diplomacy a chance.
The international community is closely watching these developments. U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Netanyahu on the morning of the attack, affirming American support for Israel. As the situation unfolds, the impact of this exchange on regional stability and ongoing peace efforts remains to be seen.
