On August 25, 2024, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah saw a dramatic escalation when Israel launched a preemptive military operation targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) executed this operation using around 100 fighter jets, which unleashed a barrage of approximately 40 air-to-surface missiles on Hezbollah targets. This decisive action was a response to what Israel perceived as an imminent threat posed by Hezbollah, which was reportedly preparing a significant assault on Israeli territory.
Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group based in Lebanon, retaliated by firing more than 320 Katyusha rockets into Israeli territory. The group claimed that this barrage was a direct response to the killing of its military commander, Fuad Shukr. Hezbollah's attack aimed at various Israeli military installations, including Iron Dome defense systems, and the group declared that the "first phase" of their strikes was completed with what they described as a "complete success."
In reaction to these developments, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant declared a 48-hour state of emergency across Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chaired an urgent high-level meeting to address the escalating situation. During the meeting, Netanyahu assured the public of the government’s resolve to protect its citizens and emphasized a strict policy of retaliation against those who pose a threat to Israel. "We are determined to do everything to protect our country, return the residents of the north safely to their homes, and continue to follow a simple rule: Whoever harms us — we harm them," Netanyahu said, underscoring Israel’s firm stance in the face of aggression.
The IDF’s airstrikes targeted and reportedly destroyed numerous Hezbollah rocket launchers and associated infrastructure across Lebanon. The IDF stated that their military actions were a necessary defensive measure against Hezbollah's preparations to launch missiles and rockets toward Israeli civilian areas. In light of the ongoing hostilities, the IDF issued warnings to residents in southern Lebanon, advising them to evacuate areas affected by the strikes.
International reactions have been swift. White House National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett revealed that President Joe Biden was closely monitoring the situation and was actively engaged with his national security team throughout the evening. "At his direction, senior US officials have been communicating continuously with their Israeli counterparts. We will keep supporting Israel’s right to defend itself, and we will keep working for regional stability," Savett said.Â
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz reaffirmed Israel’s stance on self-defense, asserting that the country is committed to defending itself without seeking an expansive regional conflict. Hezbollah, however, dismissed Israel’s characterization of its actions as "preemptive," labeling these claims as "baseless" and inconsistent with the realities on the ground.
The violence resulted in civilian casualties, with Lebanon's Health Ministry reporting that three people were killed in the Israeli airstrikes. Additionally, a woman in the Israeli city of Acre was injured by shrapnel from the Katyusha rockets and was transported to Bnai Zion Hospital in Haifa for medical treatment.
In response to the escalating hostilities, the Israel Airports Authority temporarily suspended operations at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv to ensure safety amid the ongoing conflict. The situation remains volatile, with continued military engagements and an urgent focus on diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict and address the humanitarian impact on both sides.
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