Developing. Check back for more live updates. They may not necessarily appear in order.
UPDATE (8:35pm Local Time):
Update: Hezbollah says that Ali Karaki is alive. (Unconfirmed either way)
Jordan has suspended flights operated by Jordanian carriers to Beirut until further notice, the country’s Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission said on Monday.
In a recent escalation of violence between Israel and Hezbollah, a series of intense exchanges have unfolded across the region. Some reports remain unconfirmed, but they provide a snapshot of the growing conflict and its potential ramifications.
Israel’s Iron Dome defense system has been intercepting rockets and drones launched by Hezbollah towards northern Israel, particularly around Kiryat Yam and north of Haifa. At the same time, Israeli airstrikes have heavily targeted southern Lebanon, including towns like Ghazieh and Sidon, where ammunition depots belonging to Hezbollah were reportedly hit.
One significant event was the targeted assassination of senior Hezbollah leader Ali Karaki (unclear and unconfirmed), believed to be the third in command. Karaki was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, further heightening tensions. This operation follows the assassination of another senior Hezbollah commander, who was targeted in Beirut as well. Hezbollah has retaliated with rocket fire, but Israel’s Iron Dome has intercepted most of these attacks.
The situation is rapidly escalating, with Israeli forces conducting extensive airstrikes in southern Lebanon and the Baalbek-Hermel region. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the people of Lebanon, stating that Israel’s war is not with them, but with Hezbollah, which he accuses of using civilians as human shields by storing rockets in civilian areas.
In response to the rising violence, Israel has declared a week-long state of emergency, and the U.S. has announced the deployment of additional troops to the Middle East, fearing a broader regional war.
As the conflict intensifies, reports continue to emerge of Hezbollah’s actions within Lebanon, including placing explosives among the population. Both sides remain engaged in a series of retaliatory strikes, making the situation volatile and dangerous for the region.
It remains to be seen how far this conflict will escalate, but with both Israeli and U.S. involvement increasing, the risk of a wider war looms large.
More details below:
The current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated significantly, with Israeli airstrikes intensifying across southern and eastern Lebanon, leading to mounting civilian casualties. Over 270 people have been reported dead, and more than 1,000 have been injured, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. This marks the deadliest escalation in the region since the 2006 war. The Israeli military has targeted Hezbollah strongholds, particularly in the Beqaa Valley, a region not frequently attacked due to its distance from the Israeli border.
The Iron Dome is truly Amazing. pic.twitter.com/0RSSue3AiN
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) September 23, 2024
The U.S. is sending additional troops to the Middle East during a sharp spike in violence between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon that has raised the risk of a greater regional war, the Pentagon said Monday. – AP
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently declared that Israel is actively reshaping the balance of power on its northern front by dismantling Hezbollah’s missile capabilities. He emphasized that the strikes are preemptive, targeting thousands of rockets aimed at Israeli cities. Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to neutralizing the threat before it materializes, stating that the country is taking decisive actions across all fronts to protect its citizens.
Hezbollah, which has maintained a strong military presence in Lebanon with support from Iran, has been retaliating with rocket and drone attacks into northern Israel. These strikes have raised concerns that the conflict may spiral into a wider regional war, especially as Hezbollah continues its solidarity with Hamas, another militant group engaged in conflict with Israel in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that his government intends to continue the military campaign until Hezbollah is neutralized, despite the devastating humanitarian impact.
The conflict has displaced thousands of Lebanese civilians, and hospitals in southern Lebanon are struggling to cope with the influx of casualties. The United Nations has expressed alarm over the rising death toll and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that Lebanon could face a humanitarian catastrophe similar to what Gaza has experienced.
Efforts by the United States to de-escalate the situation have so far been unsuccessful. President Joe Biden, who has been monitoring the situation closely, faces increasing pressure as the conflict threatens his administration’s broader goals in the Middle East. U.S.-supplied weapons have played a role in Israel’s military operations, and while some U.S. officials support Israel’s strategy of “de-escalation through escalation,” there are concerns about the long-term implications of such an approach.
Another Hezbollah weapons/munitions site hit. #Lebanon pic.twitter.com/Pc9i9cJfuG
— FJ (@Natsecjeff) September 23, 2024
Netanyahu acknowledged the challenging days ahead, advising Israeli citizens to strictly follow security protocols. He also sent a stern warning to adversaries, declaring that Israel will continue to target and eliminate key Hezbollah figures, military commanders, and missile stockpiles, striking at anyone who attempts to harm the nation.
These statements highlight Netanyahu’s stance on maintaining aggressive preemptive measures to prevent Hezbollah’s attacks from escalating, reinforcing the strategic rationale behind Israel’s continued military actions
Without a clear diplomatic breakthrough in sight, the conflict shows no signs of abating, raising fears of a broader war that could involve more regional powers.
