Israel has broadened its targets in its conflict with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of at least 21 individuals from an airstrike in the north, according to health officials, as millions of Israelis sought refuge from projectiles fired across the border.
Until now, Israel’s military operations have primarily focused on the Bekaa Valley in the east, the suburbs of Beirut, and the southern region, where incidents involving Israeli forces and UN peacekeepers have heightened tensions.
The UN Security Council expressed significant concern after several peacekeeping positions in southern Lebanon were struck amid confrontations between the Israeli military and Hezbollah.
The airstrike in the northern Christian-majority town of Aitou targeted a house that had been rented to displaced families, as reported by the town’s mayor, Joseph Trad, to Reuters. In addition to the fatalities, eight others were injured, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
As Israel has escalated its operations through southern Lebanon to eliminate Hezbollah and its military infrastructure, tensions have risen between Israel and the UN peacekeeping force, UNIFIL.
Israel instructed the residents of 25 villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate to areas north of the Awali River, located about 60km north of the Israeli border.
During a visit to a military base in central Israel, where four soldiers were killed on Sunday by a Hezbollah drone strike, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel would continue its operations against the Iran-backed group “without mercy, everywhere in Lebanon, including Beirut.”
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In central Israel, residents hurried to shelters as sirens blared. The military reported that three projectiles originating from Lebanon were intercepted, with no injuries recorded.
The Israeli military indicated that approximately 115 projectiles launched by Hezbollah crossed into Israeli territory yesterday.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah reignited last year when the militant group started firing rockets at Israel in support of Palestinian militants Hamas at the onset of the Gaza war.
This situation has intensified sharply in recent weeks, as Israel claims its operations aim to ensure the return of tens of thousands of displaced individuals in northern Israel.
Israeli military actions in northern Gaza have also surged, with reports from Palestinian medics claiming that at least ten people were killed while queuing for food in Jabalia.
As Israel has pressed forward with its military campaign in southern Lebanon to eradicate Hezbollah and its military capabilities, tensions have mounted between Israel and the UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL.
The UN reported that Israeli tanks invaded its base on Sunday.
The Israeli military escorted foreign journalists into southern Lebanon on Sunday, showcasing what they claimed was a Hezbollah tunnel shaft situated less than 200 meters from a UNIFIL position.
Mr. Netanyahu refuted claims that Israeli forces had intentionally harmed UNIFIL peacekeepers, labeling them as “completely false,” and reiterated the need for UN forces to withdraw from combat zones near the Israeli border.
He accused Hezbollah of using UNIFIL positions as cover for attacks that have resulted in Israeli casualties, including a drone strike on Sunday that claimed four soldiers’ lives.
“Israel has every right to defend itself against Hezbollah and will continue to do so,” Mr. Netanyahu affirmed in a statement.
He expressed regret for any harm caused to UNIFIL personnel but emphasized that the safest course for them would be “to heed Israel’s request and temporarily vacate harm’s way.”
The spokesperson for UNIFIL stated in a video posted on X that the peacekeeping mission would remain in place.
“We are staying… we are in southern Lebanon under a Security Council mandate. It’s crucial to maintain an international presence and to keep the UN flag in the area,” Andrea Tenenti said.
The Israeli military allowed foreign journalists to tour southern Lebanon on Sunday, pointing out what they asserted were Hezbollah tunnels and weapon caches located dangerously close to a UNIFIL post.
“We are actually standing in a Hezbollah military base very close to the UN,” Brigadier General Yiftach Norkin stated, indicating the shaft’s trapdoor in an area covered with underbrush and visible from a UN observation point.
Since the initiation of its ground operation near the border, the Israeli military claims to have destroyed numerous Hezbollah tunnel shafts, rocket launchers, and command posts.
UNIFIL has reported that previous Israeli strikes have hampered its monitoring abilities, with UN sources expressing concerns that any violations of international law amid the conflict may go unmonitored.
Meanwhile, the Middle East remains on high alert for potential Israeli retaliation against Iran following a missile barrage launched on 1 October in response to Israeli assaults on Lebanon.
Mr. Netanyahu’s office indicated that Israel would consider the United States’ guidance but would ultimately determine its actions based on its own national interests.
The statement was linked to a Washington Post article asserting that Mr. Netanyahu informed the Biden administration that Israel would target Iranian military facilities instead of nuclear or oil sites, suggesting a more focused counterattack aimed at averting a full-scale war.
Yesterday, the US embassy in Lebanon strongly urged its citizens to leave immediately, cautioning that additional flights arranged by the government to assist US nationals departing since 27 September would not be available indefinitely.
Australia issued a warning to its citizens against traveling to Israel and encouraged Australians currently in the country to depart while commercial flights remain operational.
