Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has warned that the Iran-backed group Hezbollah will “pay an increasing price” as Israel launches dozens of air raids in southern Lebanon. The raids targeted rocket launchers and infrastructure in towns in the Jezzine area, with some of the most intense bombing reported since the start of the conflict in Gaza in October. In response, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah promised retaliation against Israel.
Nasrallah’s speech followed a series of device attacks against Hezbollah members in Lebanon and Syria, which resulted in casualties and injuries. The attacks were said to be carried out through explosive devices implanted in pagers and walkie-talkies, with Lebanon attributing the blasts to electronic messages. Nasrallah vowed to continue operations against Israel until the aggression on Gaza stops.
The White House has expressed support for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to de-escalate tensions in the region, while also maintaining opposition against Iran-backed threats. Meanwhile, a preliminary investigation by Lebanese authorities found that the explosive devices used in the attacks were implanted before arriving in the country.
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has continued to escalate, with Israel targeting key figures in both Hezbollah and Hamas. The situation remains tense with fears of further escalation and retaliation on both sides.
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