With tensions soaring, Israeli forces continue to target Hezbollah positions as international calls for a ceasefire go unheeded.
An Israeli airstrike in the Lebanese village of Younine claimed the lives of 23 Syrian refugees late Wednesday, intensifying the ongoing conflict as Israel prepares for a potential ground invasion of Lebanon. The strike, which demolished a building housing workers, also left eight others wounded, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.
The escalating violence comes amid Hezbollah’s barrage of rocket fire into northern Israel, with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) ramping up their military response. On Thursday, the IDF targeted infrastructure on the Lebanon-Syria border, allegedly used for transferring weapons. Media reports suggested Israeli jets struck a bridge connecting the two countries, though details on casualties or damage remain unclear.
As the conflict deepens, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the military to continue their operations “with full force.” His office dismissed international calls for a ceasefire, particularly a proposal put forth by the United States and France. “This proposal was not even acknowledged by the prime minister,” Netanyahu’s office stated, reaffirming Israel’s commitment to ongoing military action against Hezbollah.
Israel’s military chief has confirmed that preparations are underway for a possible ground offensive in Lebanon, as Hezbollah continues its rocket attacks. The fighting has led to significant civilian displacement, with over 90,000 people fleeing Israeli strikes in recent days, pushing the total number of displaced persons in Lebanon to 200,000 since Hezbollah entered the conflict in support of Hamas.
The Israeli government, including Foreign Minister Israel Katz, has vowed to continue military operations until Hezbollah is defeated, stressing that there will be no ceasefire in the north. Katz promised to secure victory and allow the safe return of thousands of Israeli citizens evacuated from border areas.
Despite mounting international pressure for a truce, the conflict shows no sign of abating, and fears of a broader regional war continue to grow as Israel and Hezbollah exchange fire across the border.
(Associated Medias) – All rights reserved
