Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike in Kafr Kila, Lebanon, January 18, 2024. Israeli forces and Hezbollah have exchanged fire across borders since October 8, 2023, after the conflict between Israel and Hamas began the day before. POLITICS Europe Press/Contact/Taher Abu Hamdan
The Israeli army and the terrorist group Hezbollah exchanged fire this Wednesday in the border area between Israel and Lebanonamid an increasingly aggressive escalation in the war in Gaza.
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“Israeli Defense Forces artillery and air force fighter aircraft carried out combined strikes against several Hezbollah military sites and terrorist infrastructure in the Yaroun region of southern Lebanon,” an Israel Defense Forces spokesman said.
“Today, Israeli warplanes attacked a military post in Maroun Al Ras,” a city in southern Lebanon. According to the Israeli army, “several Hezbollah terrorists were inside” and following the attack “Numerous secondary explosions were detected, indicating the presence of weapons within the structure.”an Israeli military spokesman said in a statement.
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In response, Israeli forces reported that they attacked three more observation posts belonging to the terrorist group and a military compound in other parts of southern Lebanon, in the areas of Marwahim, Taybeh, Chihine, Tayr Harfa, Kfarkela and Blida.
“Hezbollah’s activities in the south of the Litani River in Lebanon, including the use and storage of weapons, constitute a clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701,” the Israeli army stressed “will continue to defend Israel’s borders from any threat.”
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On his part Hezbollah claimed responsibility for two attacksone in the Bayad Blida area and another with rockets in Al Samaqa, a disputed city in the Golan Heights.
November 23, 2023 Archive image of Israeli army soldiers. INTERNATIONAL POLITICS Mohammed Nasser/APA Images via Z / DPA
These attacks came “in support of the steadfast Palestinian people of Gaza and in solidarity with their courageous and honorable resistance,” the Shiite terror group said in a statement.
“A war in the north will be challenging for Israel but devastating for Hezbollah and Lebanon. “Israel will not cease fire until it can guarantee the safe return” of tens of thousands of Israeli residents in border towns who had to be evacuated, Israel's defense minister warned today in a meeting with his French counterpart. Sebastien LecornuVisit to Israel.
Gallant stressed that the Israeli authorities prefer to de-escalate the conflict with Hezbollah “through diplomatic channels,” although they are “militarily” prepared for the situation.
“Even if Hezbollah unilaterally ceases fire, Israel will not do so until it can guarantee the safe return of northern communities to their homes,” Gallant warned.
The border between Israel and Lebanon is experiencing the highest peak of tensions since the 2006 war. For three months there was a fierce exchange of fire that left at least 226 people dead, most of them on the Lebanese side and in the ranks of Hezbollah . which has confirmed around 164 victims in its ranks, some of them in Syria.
In Israel, 18 people died on the northern border, 12 soldiers and 6 civilians; while in Lebanon at least 208 people died, including around 20 members of Palestinian militias, a soldier and 23 civilians – including three children and three journalists – as well as Hezbollah militiamen.
(With information from EFE)