Topline
Israel hit Hezbollah targets in Lebanon in what it called a preemptive strike to stop an imminent attack by the militant group, and Hezbollah followed up with hundreds of rockets, a major exchange between the two that came as fears of escalation in the Middle East increase—and negotiators work toward a delicate Israel-Hamas cease-fire.
Rockets fired from southern Lebanon are intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome air defence system over … [+]
Key Facts
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted early Sunday morning Israel identified “Hezbollah preparations to attack Israel” and he directed the Israel Defense Force to “initiate action to eliminate the threat.”
The Israel Defense Force says about 100 fighter jets hit “more than 40 launch areas” in southern Lebanon and intercepted rockets aimed for northern and central Israel.
Netanyahu said in the statement that Israel is “determined to do everything to defend our country, to return the residents of the north securely to their homes and to continue upholding a simple rule: Whoever harms us – we will harm them.”
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Key Background
Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah—a powerful militant group in Lebanon—has increased in recent months while Israel continues its war with another Iran ally, Hamas. Israel and Hezbollah have been at war for decades, but the conflict escalated quickly in recent weeks, after a rocket killed more than 10 people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights last month (Israel said Hezbollah was responsible, which Hezbollah denied). Israel killed Shukr, the Hezbollah commander Israel said was responsible for the Golan Heights attack, after which Israel said Hezbollah would “pay a heavy price.” Israeli forces also said they killed a number of high-ranked Hamas leaders recently. Top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed while staying in Iran—which Israel hasn’t formally taken responsibility for—leading to fears of direct retaliation against Israel by Iran.
What To Watch For
Hezbollah said in early July that if Israel and Hamas come to a cease-fire agreement, it would stop fighting “without any discussion,” The Associated Press reported. Cease-fire negotiations have stalled recently, though they were scheduled to begin again in Cairo on Sunday.
Tangent
Israel’s defense minister Yoav Gallant said on X he “discussed the importance of avoiding regional escalation” with U.S. defense secretary LlLoyd Austin, who emphasized the U.S. stood with Israel “against any attacks by Iran and its regional partners and proxies.” In late July, after the Golan Heights strike, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also reiterated support for Israel but said he does not want to see an escalation of conflict.
Further Reading
Israel and Hamas. Previously, she has covered a range of topics from Donald Trump’s legal battles to Taylor Swift’s path to becoming a billionaire. She joined Forbes in April 2022 and is based in Colorado. Prior to joining Forbes, Bohannon covered local news and spent time at the Fort Collins Coloradoan and the Arizona Republic. She graduated with a degree in journalism from Creighton University and has an MA in investigative journalism from Arizona State. Follow Bohannon for continued coverage of pop culture, politics and updates on the war in Gaza.
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