Israel’s army launched new assaults on targets in Lebanon on Thursday, a day after its strikes in southern Lebanon killed not less than 10 civilians, probably the most in months of cross-border combating.
The strikes — which got here in response to a rocket assault from Lebanon on Wednesday that killed one Israeli soldier and wounded eight different folks — amplified fears that months of cross-border clashes might escalate right into a full-fledged conflict.
On Thursday, Lebanon’s state media reported that 10 civilians had been killed within the Israeli strikes, together with seven members of 1 household within the metropolis of Nabatieh. Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia, mentioned that six of its fighters had been killed. Israel’s army mentioned that among the many lifeless was a commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Power; the group confirmed the person’s dying however didn’t describe his place.
Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, on Thursday condemned the Israeli army “aggression” and requested that an pressing grievance towards Israel be introduced earlier than the U.N. Safety Council, in line with a press release from his workplace.
Quickly after, Israel’s army mentioned that its fighter jets had carried out extra strikes inside Lebanon towards Hezbollah targets.
The escalations reignited fears {that a} second entrance might open in Israel’s conflict towards Hamas within the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah, a key ally of Hamas, has vowed to reply to the Israeli strikes — and Israeli leaders signaled that they, too, have been ready to struggle.
The strikes additionally threatened to derail diplomatic efforts by america and others to defuse the cross-border tensions, which flared after the Hamas-led assaults on Israel on Oct. 7.
Israel’s protection minister, Yoav Gallant, mentioned earlier on Thursday that he had spoken to the U.S. protection secretary, Lloyd J. Austin III, concerning the “ongoing threats and assaults” from Hezbollah. In a submit on social media, Mr. Gallant mentioned Israel would guarantee its safety alongside the border with Lebanon by “diplomatic or army means.”
That got here after remarks from the Israeli army’s chief of workers, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, who mentioned late Wednesday that his forces have been “now specializing in being ready for conflict within the north.”
