Beirut, Lebanon, Sept 20: Israel announced that it had struck hundreds of Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, hours after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah vowed to retaliate for two unprecedented attacks that sabotaged communication devices used by the group, killing 37 and wounding nearly 3,000.
While Israel has not confirmed involvement in the device explosions, Hezbollah has blamed it for the attacks. Speaking publicly for the first time since the sabotage, Nasrallah described the strikes on Hezbollah’s communication devices as a “massacre” and a potential “act of war,” vowing retribution.
“Israel will face tough retribution and just punishment, where it expects it and where it does not,” Nasrallah warned in his address on Thursday, September 19, 2024.
As Nasrallah delivered his speech, Israeli warplanes roared over Beirut, breaking the sound barrier. Soon after, the Israeli military confirmed airstrikes on around 100 launchers and other terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon. According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, Israel conducted at least 52 airstrikes. Hezbollah responded with 17 attacks on military sites in northern Israel.
The series of attacks escalates tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, a situation that has persisted for nearly a year. Israel has primarily focused its firepower on the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza, but the ongoing clashes with Hezbollah signal a shift toward Lebanon’s border. This comes after a year of near-daily exchanges between Hezbollah and Israeli troops.
International mediators have continuously attempted to avert a full-scale war between Israel and Lebanon and contain the conflict’s regional implications. Hezbollah maintains that its actions are in solidarity with Hamas, and Nasrallah vowed to continue attacking Israel as long as the war in Gaza continues.
Widespread Destruction and Casualties
The recent exchange of fire has resulted in hundreds of deaths in Lebanon, primarily among fighters, and dozens in Israel, including soldiers. Tens of thousands of civilians on both sides of the border have been displaced, seeking safety from the escalating conflict.
Speaking to Israeli troops, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated, “Hezbollah will pay an increasing price” as Israel works to secure the safe return of its citizens near the northern border. “We are at the start of a new phase in the war,” Gallant added.
Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib condemned Israel’s strikes as a “blatant assault on Lebanon’s sovereignty,” warning that this escalation could signal a broader conflict. Lebanon filed a complaint with the United Nations, accusing Israel of “cyber-terrorism” and labeling the device explosions as war crimes.
Iran, which supports Hezbollah, warned Israel of a “crushing response” from the resistance front. Tehran’s ambassador to Lebanon was reportedly wounded in the blasts.
Global Reactions and Calls for Restraint
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged all parties to avoid further escalations, emphasizing the importance of restraint to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. President Joe Biden’s administration reiterated its belief in the possibility of a diplomatic resolution between Israel and Hezbollah.
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, in Madrid, called for a new peace conference to address the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has only intensified since Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel. The Hamas attack claimed 1,205 lives, primarily civilians, according to official Israeli figures. Out of 251 hostages taken by Hamas militants, 97 are still being held in Gaza, including 33 confirmed dead.
Israel’s retaliatory campaign in Gaza has killed at least 41,272 people, mostly civilians, according to figures provided by Gaza’s health ministry, which is run by Hamas. The United Nations has acknowledged the reliability of these figures.
Lebanese Panic Amid Device Blasts
The sudden influx of casualties from the blasts overwhelmed medics in Lebanon and spread panic among the population. Residents of Baalbek described the situation as terrifying.
“What happened in the last two days is so frightening. It’s terrifying,” said Lina Ismail, speaking from Baalbek.
Preliminary findings from a Lebanese investigation suggest that the communication devices were booby-trapped, with the explosions triggered remotely via emails sent to the devices. A source close to Hezbollah claimed that the pagers were recently imported and had been sabotaged prior to their arrival in Lebanon.
The New York Times reported that the devices were produced by Hungary-based BAC Consulting for Taiwanese manufacturer Gold Apollo, with intelligence sources suggesting that BAC was a front for Israeli operations. Hungarian officials have denied any direct involvement in the manufacturing process.
