Israel escalates military operations in Lebanon, striking Hezbollah targets near Beirut and in Gaza amid rising tensions and international concerns.
At a Glance
- Israel targets Hezbollah’s financial arm in Beirut and other locations in Lebanon
- Six Israeli soldiers killed in southern Lebanon, prompting increased airstrikes
- Evacuation warnings issued for parts of Beirut and southern Lebanon
- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin criticizes high civilian casualties
- Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of war crimes in Gaza displacement
Israel Intensifies Strikes on Hezbollah Targets
The Israeli military has launched a series of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah’s financial arm, al-Qard al-Hassan, in Beirut and other locations across Lebanon. This escalation follows the deaths of six Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon, marking one of the deadliest days for Israeli forces since the invasion began. The strikes are part of a broader strategy to counteract ongoing cross-border escalations triggered by Hezbollah’s actions in the aftermath of Hamas-led assaults.
Israeli military spokesman Avichai Adraee issued evacuation warnings for residents of four neighborhoods in Dahiya, a densely populated area outside Beirut.
đź”´ RECAP (as of 07:30 GMT 3 October) #Israel #Lebanon #Palestine
Here are the latest updates:
– Israeli airstrikes hit central Beirut for only the second time since the conflict began, with Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirming at least five fatalities and several injured
-… pic.twitter.com/1LEnWfAkcw
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) October 3, 2024
Escalating Tensions and International Concerns
The conflict has led to significant displacement, with almost a quarter of Lebanon’s population affected. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin criticized the high number of civilian casualties and urged Israel to scale back. Austin stated that the death toll was “far too high.”
Human Rights Watch added, “There is no plausible imperative military reason to justify Israel’s mass displacement of nearly all of Gaza’s population, often multiple times. Rather than ensuring civilians’ security, military ‘evacuation orders’ have caused grave harm.”
The Israeli offensive began after a year of near-daily cross-border rocket attacks by Hezbollah, which intensified following a Hamas-led attack in October. Despite severe blows from Israel, Hezbollah remains a formidable adversary, and the conflict has drawn considerable international backlash.
Gaza Operations and Humanitarian Concerns
Concurrently, Israel’s military activities in Gaza have intensified, with recent strikes in northern Gaza resulting in at least 87 deaths. The offensive in Gaza has reportedly caused over 42,000 Palestinian deaths, as well as massive displacement, and raised serious humanitarian concerns. Internet connectivity issues in northern Gaza are further complicating rescue efforts.
Referencing the strikes on Hezbollah’s financial infrastructure, David Asher, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, said, “It’s a big deal.”
The U.S. has urged a cease-fire in Gaza, but neither Israel nor Hamas has shown interest in de-escalation. As the conflict continues to unfold, the international community watches closely, with growing concerns about the long-term implications for regional stability.
