Israel intensifies strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon following civilian evacuation warnings; WATCH viral videos

By Sunita IyerFirst Published Sep 23, 2024, 2:41 PM IST
Highlights

In a significant escalation of military operations, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Monday launched a fresh series of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon.

In a significant escalation of military operations, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Monday launched a fresh series of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. This action follows the IDF's recent warnings regarding the storage of weapons by the Iran-backed group in civilian areas, bringing Israel's 11-month conflict with Hezbollah closer to all-out war after a week of escalation.

צה"ל תוקף כעת במרחב דרום לבנון.
פרטים נוספים בהמשך

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline)

المشهد من بلدة أنصار pic.twitter.com/2H8jeMPTJG

— Lebanon Trend (@LebanonTrend_)


Indeed another round of Israeli airstrikes has begun in southern Lebanon

Telegram: https://t.co/1VT2ubtjeT https://t.co/RbbNfWU9Il pic.twitter.com/yTBrZB5ga4

— Geopolitics Insights (@GeoInsightsss)

🇮🇱 Israeli warning messages were sent to Lebanese citizens, including the information minister, urging them to evacuate certain locations, local media reports

🔉 Israel has been conducting massive strikes on Hezbollah targets inside of Lebanon. … pic.twitter.com/2ldKVzUtyB

— WWIII Archive (@WWIIIArchive)

New Scenes now from southern Lebanon after a wave of Israeli raids. pic.twitter.com/LmpiFDvfot

— Ammar Khan (@AmmarKh12669255)

Earlier today, the IDF confirmed the airstrikes, stating they aim to neutralize Hezbollah operatives identified as preparing for rocket attacks on Israeli territory. In an Arabic-language message directed at Lebanese civilians, IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee emphasized the imminent nature of the strikes, stating, "Strikes on houses in Lebanon in which Hezbollah is hiding weapons are imminent."

Latest Videos

He further accused Hezbollah of endangering civilian lives, asserting, "Hezbollah is lying to you and sacrificing you. Its missiles and drones are more valuable and important to it than you are."

‼️ سكان القرى اللبنانية: الغارات ستبدأ على المدى الزمني الوشيك - اخلوا البيوت التي اخبئ فيها الأسلحة فورًا! حزب الله يكذب عليكم ويضحي فيكم. حزب الله يقول إنكم بيئته وأنكم جمهوره لكن يبدو أن صواريخه ومسيراته أغلى وأهم بالنسبة له منكم. pic.twitter.com/mzw3oEjB9y

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee)

IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari took to X to state, "We advise civilians from Lebanese villages located in and next to buildings and areas used by Hezbollah for military purposes, such as those used to store weapons, to immediately move out of harm’s way for their own safety.”

IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari exposing Hezbollah’s way of firing missiles from civilian homes, and how the IDF plans on dismantling it: pic.twitter.com/smkfjv6VDh

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF)

In a further effort to weaken Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, the IDF also released a map highlighting 17 villages and towns in southern Lebanon where the group is believed to store weapons and operate.

On Friday, Israel conducted a rare airstrike in Beirut, destroying a building where senior Hezbollah commanders were reportedly meeting. This strike was part of a broader Israeli strategy to dismantle Hezbollah's leadership and weaken its operational effectiveness. The strike came days after pagers and walkie-talkies linked to Hezbollah members exploded in Lebanon, resulting in the death of over 30 people and injuring over 3,000 people.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking on Sunday, declared that Hezbollah had been hit "in ways it could not imagine" during the recent military actions. "If Hezbollah has not understood the message, I promise you, it will understand the message," Netanyahu stated, as quoted by Reuters. His comments underscore Israel’s determination to cripple Hezbollah’s influence and military presence along the Lebanese border.

With tensions rapidly escalating, the situation in southern Lebanon remains volatile as Israel continues to press its campaign against Hezbollah, aiming to dismantle its military capabilities and safeguard Israeli citizens.

click me!