Israel deploys additional troops to Lebanon amid Hezbollah attacks
Israel Deploys Additional Troops to Lebanon Amid Hezbollah Attacks
On Tuesday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) expanded their presence in southern Lebanon by establishing new positions, aiming to ‘strengthen frontline defenses’ following ongoing assaults by Hezbollah. The military also launched air strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut, marking the second day in a row of targeted operations in the capital.
Simultaneously, the Israeli Air Force targeted Iranian-backed militant sites in Tehran while escalating attacks in Beirut. ‘The IDF is currently conducting simultaneous strikes in Tehran and Beirut. The Israeli Air Force has begun targeted strikes against military objectives of the Iranian terror regime and the Hezbollah terrorist organisation,’ the military stated.
Hezbollah’s Response
Hezbollah claimed in several statements that it had launched drone strikes against three Israeli installations, including the Ramat David air base and Meron base in northern Israel. The group asserted that these attacks were retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday, which triggered the recent assaults on Israel.
“There is a faction seeking to involve the country in issues beyond its control,” President Joseph Aoun said during an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday, according to the information ministry.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam imposed a complete halt on Hezbollah’s military operations on Monday, urging the group to hand over its arsenal to the state. He labeled the attacks ‘irresponsible acts’ that threaten national security.
The Israeli military said Hezbollah bore full responsibility for the escalation. ‘Hezbollah made a deliberate decision to attack Israel in defense of the Iranian terrorist regime and will bear the consequences,’ it added.
Impact of the Conflict
Evacuation alerts were issued for approximately 50 communities in southern and eastern Lebanon, leading to widespread displacement. Social affairs minister Hanin al-Sayed noted that 171 shelters had been activated, accommodating 29,000 displaced individuals.
Lebanese health authorities reported 52 fatalities and 154 injuries caused by the conflict’s intensification. The 2024 war between Israel and Hezbollah saw over a million Lebanese displaced, with many villages reduced to rubble and residents unable to return.
