Tel Aviv bombs rebel strongholds as it warns of offensive // Islamist group ends a first phase war in retaliation for the murder of its commander
Ap, Sputnik, Afp and Europa Press
The newspaper La Jornada
Sunday, August 25, 2024, p. 20
Jerusalem. Israel carried out massive air strikes in Lebanon early Sunday morning, in an operation preventive against the Islamist group Hezbollah, opening the largest exchange of fire on that border in two decades, since shortly after, the Lebanese organization supported by Iran responded to the offensive by launching more than 320 rockets Katyusha against 11 military bases in Israel, and reported a first phase which concluded with complete success.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said Hezbollah attempted to fire on central Israel but the attack was thwarted by simultaneous strikes by 100 fighter jets.
In the morning hours, the IDF identified Hezbollah preparing to launch an offensive against Israel and, in anticipation, attacked terror targets and launch sites in Lebanon, military spokesman Daniel Hagari said today morning, reported The Jerusalem PostThe Israeli air force attacked 40 targets, the Israeli website reported. YNet Newsciting reports from Lebanon.
Lebanese television Al Mayadeen reported on a Intense Israeli air attack on southern Lebanonwhich lasted more than 20 minutes.
Tel Aviv attacked forested areas in the towns of Kounin, Beit Yahoun, Haddatha, Rashaf and Tiri, Al Jazeera reported.
Hezbollah said the operation was aimed at a qualitative Israeli military objective to be announced lateras well as to “various enemy sites and barracks and platforms of the iron dome anti-missiles”.
The attacks came as Egypt hosts a new round of negotiations aimed at ending Israel’s 11-month-old war with Hamas. Hezbollah has said it will stop fighting if there is a ceasefire.
In the United States, White House spokesman Sean Savett said President Joe Biden was closely monitoring events in Israel and Lebanon.
Savett added that they will continue supporting Israel’s right to defend itself, and working for stability in the region.
YNet News He said earlier that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant approved the preemptive operation against Hezbollah in Kiryat on Saturday night.
Gallant declared a state of emergency in Israel for the next 48 hours, allowing the IDF to issue restrictions to the population.
Hours earlier, Israel’s airport agency announced the suspension of departures and arrivals at Ben Gurion International Airport, but later said operations would resume at 7 p.m. Sunday.
Hezbollah, for its part, issued a statement saying it had launched a “major drone and rocket attack against Israel in retaliation for the killing of its commander, Fuad Shukr, by the Israeli army in Beirut on July 30. These military operations will take some time to conclude. After that, a detailed statement on their process and objective will be released.added Hezbollah, which declares itself pro-Palestine.
The Islamic resistance in Lebanon will confront any Zionist aggression, especially if it affects civilians, with severe punishment.