Politics
Israel vows to intensify military campaign against Hezbollah – SABC News
Israel has vowed to intensify its military campaign against Hezbollah, as efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire continue to falter.
Israeli airstrikes struck several locations across southern Lebanon, killing at least 13 people and injuring 15 others.
The Israeli military says the attacks targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut’s southern suburbs, after the group launched fresh rocket fire towards northern Israel, raising fears of a renewed escalation in the three-month-long conflict.
The truce brokered by the United States in April has done little to stop the violence in southern Lebanon, with both sides continuing to exchange fire despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Israel says its latest strikes were carried out in response to sustained Hezbollah attacks on northern Israeli communities.
Brigadier General Effie Defrin of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) says, “We attacked in the Dahiyeh following the non-stop Hezbollah fire towards northern Israeli communities. The IDF will continue to operate across all of Lebanon and will deepen the hit to the Hezbollah terror organisation. We will not allow fire toward the citizens of the State of Israel to continue.”
The latest attacks have drawn a sharp response from Iran. The Iranian military warned that any further expansion of Israeli operations in Lebanon could trigger a stronger response from Tehran.
Ebrahim Zolfaqari, Iranian Military Spokesperson, says, “If it expands those attacks or responds to Iran’s actions, it will face more crushing and regrettable blows, and destructive attacks will begin again against the regime and its supporters.”
On the ground in Lebanon, emergency responders say civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict. Ali Daher, who heads a volunteer rescue team in the southern city of Sidon, says relentless airstrikes have stretched resources to breaking point.
“Right now, it is only a one-sided ceasefire, because assassinations and airstrikes still happen every day, and our land remains occupied. I hope for a permanent ceasefire to finally be realised in this country.”
The human toll of the conflict was once again on display in Beirut on Sunday, where mourners gathered for the funeral of Lebanese army officers killed in an Israeli strike on their military vehicle a day earlier.
As fighting continues and diplomatic efforts struggle to gain traction, fears are growing that the conflict could widen further.
