Washington has reportedly been applying considerable influence on Israel, trying to curtail a potential ground invasion into southern Lebanon, in a bid to stave off an expanding conflict. This follows an increase in Israeli infantry units, stationed at the north border, preparing for just such an eventuality.
Observers of military affairs suggest that Israel’s military could potentially opt for relatively restrained exertions at assorted points to repel Hizbullah combatants from the Israeli border villages.
Additional information has now been disclosed regarding the sensational air strike on the Hizbullah headquarters situated in Beirut that occurred on Friday, resulting in the demise of the organisation’s leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah. Reports suggest that a minimum of ten warplanes participated in the meticulously guided strike, unleashing 83 tons of explosives on the subterranean bunker that was situated underneath a six-storied residential complex in the Dahiyeh district’s centre. According to two high-ranking officials in the Israeli defence administration who spoke with The New York Times, over 80 detonations occurred within a period of minutes.
In an incident that also saw more than 20 Hizbullah employees perish, the Israeli military revealed the names. General Abbas Nilforoushan, who held a high-ranking position in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was similarly killed during the raid. In the aftermath of the attack, Tehran has promised retaliation.
Footage of Nasrallah’s body being retrieved from the debris was revealed by Hizbullah on Sunday. Nasrallah’s body bore no immediate injuries and it is presumed that the force of the blast was the cause of his death. His interment is predicted to take place on the upcoming Monday.
Israeli strikes in Lebanon since Monday are believed to have claimed the lives of over 1,000 individuals, including numerous civlians, despite Israel’s claims that it precisely targets Hizbullah combatants and militant targets.
Lebanon now seeks a ceasefire with immediate effect to put an end to the ongoing destruction ravaging the nation. The country’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, in a statement articulated on Sunday, claimed that the nation has “no choice but to pursue diplomacy”.
Over 800,000 Lebanese citizens have been displaced from their homes. In response to this escalating situation, the United Nations World Food Programme has kickstarted an emergency procedure to distribute aid provisions to approximately one million individuals residing in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israel directed its attack on Yemen on Sunday night, marking the second assault since the Gaza conflict initiated nearly a year ago. Vital energy stations controlled by the Houthis in Hodeidah and the Ras Issa port were struck, resulting in several large explosions and billowing smoke. The Israeli defence intelligence claimed that the port functions as an import point for the Houthis to secure oil and transition Iranian weaponry and army resources.
This assault was prompted by the three missile launches at Israel by the Iranian-supported Houthis earlier this month. Residents of Tel Aviv and several regions around central Israel were alerted by sirens on Saturday due to a missile launch originating from Yemen. Following these actions, Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, issued an explicit warning stating no location is out of their reach.
In retaliation to these Sunday strikes, Houthi spokespeople have pledged to persist in their assaults on Israel in accord with those in Gaza and Lebanon.
Vocalising the US perspective, White House national security spokesman, John Kirby, cautioned Israel on Sunday about the improbability of safely replacing its northern citizens in their homes should it choose to engage in full-scale warfare with Iran or Hezbollah. He highlighted ongoing discussions with Israel about potential next steps concerning Lebanon.
In the wake of potential large-scale regional warfare, the US government has heightened the readiness of its additional forces to be deployed to the Middle East and raised their alertness levels as affirmed by the Pentagon. Moreover, in the forthcoming days, they are planning on augmenting their “defensive air support capabilities.”