September 23, 2024 08:54 GMT
ISRAEL: IDF Launches New Wave Of Airstrikes On Hezbollah In Lebanon
ISRAEL
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Tensions in the Levant remain extremely high amid the risk of a regional escalation. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have confirmed a new wave of airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. This follows a weekend of Israeli airstrikes and Hezbollah rocket launches into northern Israel. The IDF has publicly warned Lebanese citizens to move away from buildings or civilian homes linked to Hezbollah, claiming that these buildings will be targets for airstrikes.
- The US has sought to dissuade Israel from raising the frequency of strikes to the point where an all-out war could break out with Hezbollah. On 22 Sep, US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on ABC “We don’t believe that a military conflict, and we’re saying this directly to our Israeli counterparts . . . we don’t believe that escalating this military conflict is in their best interest,”
- As CNN notes, "Key players have at times appeared to walk right up to the brink, but tensions have de-escalated given the grave consequences of an all-out war in the Middle East. But almost every week brings another violent incident that sets the region on high alert once again, with fears that an all out war would drag in the entire region, as well as Israel’s chief ally the United States."
- As such, the situation needs to be closely observed for signs that the conflict could move to an on-the-ground offensive that risks regional escalation.
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