In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Hezbollah fired approximately 250 rockets into Israel on Sunday, in response to an Israeli airstrike on its stronghold in south Beirut. The intense exchange of fire between the Iran-backed militant group and Israel continued throughout the day, resulting in at least seven injuries in Israel, according to initial reports.
Hezbollah’s attack included a swarm of drones that targeted the Ashdod naval base in southern Israel, marking the group’s first-ever aerial assault of its kind. The group later claimed responsibility for launching advanced missiles and another swarm of drones at military targets, including a base in Tel Aviv and the Glilot army intelligence base located in the suburbs of the city.
Israeli air defenses successfully intercepted several of Hezbollah’s rockets, but others managed to hit residential areas, causing damage to homes, especially in central Israel, and even reaching the Tel Aviv region. The Israeli military confirmed that around 250 projectiles were launched in one of the highest daily totals since the war broke out.
The flare-up comes on the heels of an Israeli airstrike on Hezbollah’s stronghold in southern Beirut, a region heavily affected by recent Israeli bombings. The strikes in Beirut have already caused significant casualties, with the Lebanese health ministry reporting the deaths of at least 84 people from the previous wave of attacks.
The escalating violence has prompted Lebanese authorities to suspend in-person classes in Beirut as a safety measure. Meanwhile, the human toll continues to rise, with over 3,700 people confirmed dead in Lebanon since the conflict began in October 2023. On the Israeli side, at least 82 soldiers and 47 civilians have lost their lives.
Despite the ongoing violence, calls for a ceasefire have intensified. EU Foreign Affairs chief Josep Borrell, visiting Lebanon on Sunday, urged for an immediate ceasefire and the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. He warned that Lebanon was on the brink of collapse, echoing concerns voiced earlier by US special envoy Amos Hochstein, who also expressed hope that a truce deal could be within reach.
Resolution 1701, which brought an end to the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, calls for the deployment of Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers in the southern border area to ensure peace and prevent armed groups from operating there.
As the violence rages on, the international community continues to press for an urgent halt to the fighting, with hopes for a resolution that could restore stability to the region. However, the path to peace appears increasingly uncertain as both sides remain entrenched in their positions.
Sources By Agencies
