Israel bombs southern Lebanon, raising uncertainty about wider conflict

This afternoon, the Israeli army bombed several “targets” of the Shiite militia Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, increasing uncertainty about whether or not this will be the prelude to a larger conflict or even open war.

This Thursday, Israeli fighter jets launched more than fifty bombings against several areas in southern and southeastern Lebanon, local television channel Al Manar, which belongs to the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, reported.

“The number of aerial bombardments carried out by the Zionist enemy is increasing by 52 against the areas of Al Hargiya in Al Mahmudeya, the outskirts of Al Aishiya, the Rihan Heights and the area around Nahr Barhaz,” the channel, which acts as a spokesperson for the armed group, said.

In a statement, the Israeli military said it was “currently striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon to damage and destroy the militia’s capabilities and infrastructure.”

The aim is “to bring security to northern Israel so that residents can return to their homes,” the text concludes, referring to the nearly 60,000 Israelis still evacuated of the border communities since the crossfire with Hezbollah began, parallel to the invasion of Gaza.

For his part, the Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galantrepeated the same message about the evacuees hours later in a meeting with other Israeli security and intelligence officials, to whom he reiterated that Israel is facing “a new phase” in the war and that military operations against Hezbollah will continue.

On Wednesday, the Israeli army’s chief of general staff said Herzi Halevisaid it had approved the “offensive and defensive plans” on the northern front, while the Israeli army is transferring troops from the south (where it continues its attacks on the Gaza Strip) to the northern border with Lebanon.

The Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon coincided with a Televised speech by Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallahabout the waves of explosions from electronic devices – attributed to Israel – which killed 37 people and injured nearly 3,000 in Lebanon this week.

In an act that is considered part of the psychological warfare fought by both sides, Israeli fighters have broken the sound barrier over the Lebanese capital, causing intense sounds that shook doors, glass and windows and even set off car alarms on the streets.