Jerusalem, Oct 8: Israel’s military said on Tuesday that it had begun ground operations in southwest Lebanon, representing an escalation in its military campaign against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. This development follows a year of hostilities ignited by an attack from the Palestinian militant group Hamas on southern Israel, which has led to continued exchanges of fire and Israeli military actions across Lebanon.
As the conflict escalates, Iran has issued stern warnings to Israel regarding potential strikes on its infrastructure. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned that any attacks would provoke retaliation. In light of the rising tensions, Araqchi plans to visit Saudi Arabia and other nations in the Middle East to discuss regional issues and garner support against Israel’s operations in Gaza and Lebanon.
Recently, Israel has executed targeted strikes in Lebanon, including an overnight attack in the southern suburbs of Beirut that reportedly resulted in the death of a senior Hezbollah official responsible for logistics and budgeting. This incident follows a previous airstrike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, marking a significant setback for the group.
The ongoing military exchanges have raised alarms at the United Nations, where officials noted that repeated calls for restraint have gone unheeded over the past year. The U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon characterized the humanitarian consequences of the conflict as “catastrophic,” underscoring the urgent need for a diplomatic solution to avert further escalation.