Israel Launches Largest Aerial Offensive Against Hezbollah, Nearly 500 Killed in Lebanon

Israel-Lebanon Clashes: Nearly 500 people have been killed in southern Lebanon following Israel’s largest aerial offensive against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group since the Gaza conflict began on October 7. Lebanon’s health ministry reported that around 1,650 people were injured, with approximately 100 women and children among the dead.

Minor skirmishes along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon had been occurring daily, as Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets into Israel in support of Palestinians facing Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Tensions escalated further in August after Hezbollah retaliated for the death of its top commander, Faud Shukr, in July. On Sunday, Hezbollah launched over 100 rockets, declaring an “open-ended battle of reckoning” with Israel, after a series of explosions targeted Hezbollah members across Lebanon, which Lebanon blamed on Israel and its intelligence agency, Mossad.

Israel stated that diplomatic efforts to halt Hezbollah’s attacks were failing, raising the possibility of an all-out war to end the strikes on its northern border. The Israeli military announced plans to expand its aerial assault on Hezbollah’s weapon sites in southern and eastern Lebanon, with no immediate plans for a ground invasion. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of “complicated days” ahead, asserting that Israel’s policy was to act preemptively against threats.

In a video message to the Lebanese people, Netanyahu clarified that Israel’s campaign is not aimed at them, urging civilians to “get out of harm’s way” as Hezbollah continues to use them as human shields by storing weapons in civilian areas.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian cautioned Israel against dragging the Middle East into a full-scale war, warning of “irreversible consequences.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the escalating violence, calling for a diplomatic solution. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell similarly warned that the situation was nearing “all-out war,” while U.S. President Joe Biden said the U.S. was working with allies to prevent the conflict from spreading further.