Tensions mount in Middle East as Israel-Hezbollah trade heavy blows

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) launched a 'preemptive strike' against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon on Aug 25 with a series of precision strikes that were part of thwarting a possible 'large-scale attack' by the group in retaliation to the killing of its senior leader last month.

Israeli jets attacked Iranian-backed militant group targets in the early hours of Aug 25 before 5 am local time.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the military action was far from over. "We are striking Hezbollah with surprising, crushing blows," Netanyahu said.

“This is another step towards changing the situation in the north and safely returning our residents to their homes. And, I repeat, this is not the final word.”

Netanyahu also confirmed that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had intercepted all the drones that Hezbollah launched at a strategic target in central Israel, which according to Israeli media is the headquarters of its spy agency Mossad.

However, soon after the strikes, Israel declared a 48-hour state of emergency and temporarily shut down its main airport, which led to the cancelation of several flights.

Reportedly, Hezbollah's retaliation attack including 300 rockets was mostly intercepted and there was no major casualty. As per Israeli officials, one soldier was killed by falling debris, while three fatalities were reported in Lebanon.

Hezbollah and Israeli security forces have exchanged attacks across the Lebanon-Israel border in a marked escalation since October 7.

According to Israel’s Army Radio, Hezbollah was going to launch hundreds of missiles towards central Israel at 5 am, so it attacked half an hour beforehand with 100 Israeli jets.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a video showcasing the operation, stating, “Our operation in Lebanon targeted the terrorist infrastructure Hezbollah planned to use against us, protecting Israeli families and homes.”

The chief of the Lebanese group Hassan Nasrallah, in a televised speech said, the Israelis had not uncovered the attack and rejected Israeli claims that its military had destroyed the Lebanese group’s rocket launchers.

“Talk about how the resistance [Hezbollah] was going to launch 8,000 or 6,000 rockets and drones and that [Israel] thwarted this … are false claims,” Nasrallah said.

At least 200 rockets had been launched from Lebanon towards Israel on the morning of Aug 25, with no reports of injuries so far, said media reports quoting IDF officials.

Hezbollah said the “first phase” of its strikes against Israel “has ended with complete success,” claiming that it launched 320 rockets and a barrage of drones toward Israel.

While Hezbollah claimed its attack hit 11 Israeli military installations, including the Meron base and four sites in the occupied Golan Heights, Israel said it hit thousands of Hezbollah rocket launchers, a report by Al-Jazeera said.

The day of the attack coincided with 'Arbaeen', 40 days after the killing of Imam al-Hussein, the third Shia imam.

A Hezbollah statement said that they chose this day because it commemorates it as a day of martyrdom.
Nasrallah further explained that the group had decided to wait to respond to the killing of his senior leader Fuad Shukr for several reasons, including to allow time for Gaza ceasefire talks to progress.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the broader conflict in the region failed as both Israeli and Hamas delegations were unwilling to agree to several compromises presented by mediators in Cairo on Aug 25.

Hamas has accused Israel of setting new conditions and prolonging the cease-fire negotiations. The Hamas delegation reiterated its demand for a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, said senior official Izzat El-Reshiq to Reuters.

Meanwhile, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, while commenting on the Israel-Hezbollah attack said, "The US hopes the events of last night do not spill out into an escalation that leads to a regional war.