Escalating tensions in Lebanon: a targeted response from Israel
Tragic toll of Israeli strikes
On Monday 23 September, the Israeli army declared that it had attacked more than 300 sites linked to Hezbollah in Lebanon. The latest report from the Ministry of Health puts the death toll at 274, including 21 children, and the number of injured at more than 700, the highest since tensions between Hezbollah and Israel began. Among the victims were children, women and rescue workers, as the ministry stated.
Responses and growing concerns
The Lebanese Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, described these actions as an Israeli ‘plan of destruction’. In response to these strikes, Hezbollah claimed to have fired rockets at three targets in the north of Israel.
Hostilities intensified recently, with IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari announcing that additional strikes would be carried out against ‘terrorist targets’ in Lebanon. The Israeli army has also warned civilians to stay away from facilities used by Hezbollah.
Alerts were sent to Lebanese phones, urging them to leave high-risk areas. Tensions peaked after Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October, leading to regular exchanges of fire. The UN Secretary General has expressed concern about the possibility of a Gaza-like situation in Lebanon, as Hezbollah has stepped up its attacks in response to Israeli strikes.
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