Beirut, Lebanon - The Israeli Defense Forces have initiated "ground raids" in villages located in the southern region of Lebanon following reports from Hezbollah that it had targeted "enemy soldiers" along the border.
A Lebanese security official has confirmed that Israel has executed at least six strikes in the vicinity of south Beirut. Concurrently, Syrian state media has reported on lethal operations conducted around the capital city of Damascus.
Despite mounting international pressure for a cessation of hostilities, Israel has reaffirmed its commitment to combating Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, and has declared a military zone extending across parts of its border with Lebanon.
Yoav Gallant, the Israeli Defense Minister, has cautioned that the conflict is far from over, even in the wake of a significant operation in Beirut that resulted in the death of Hezbollah's chief of staff, Hassan Nasrallah.
The Israeli Defense Forces have announced that troops have commenced ground raids targeting Hezbollah in villages situated near the border. These targets are identified as posing an immediate threat to Israeli communities residing in the northern region of Israel.
In a development that underscores the intensity of the conflict, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has expressed support for Israel's efforts to dismantle the infrastructure supporting Hezbollah's operations along the border.
Hezbollah has indicated its readiness to retaliate should Israel choose to advance its operations by land.
- Intense aerial bombardment - As Israel has launched its ground raids, Syria's official news agency, SANA, has reported that the country's air defense systems have intercepted three aerial strikes in the Damascus area.
State television has reported the tragic loss of Safaa Ahmad, a prominent figure, in the face of Israeli aggression in Damascus. Additionally, SANA has reported the deaths of three civilians and the injuries of nine others as a result of these strikes.
In the midst of the aerial onslaught, a Palestinian official in south Lebanon has reported that an Israeli airstrike struck Ain al-Helweh camp in the city of Sidon, targeting a Palestinian individual.
- Urgent need for peace - In the aftermath of these escalating operations, Lebanon's Health Minister, Firass Abiad, has disclosed that over 1,000 individuals have been killed since the escalation began on September 17.
The United Nations refugee agency chief, Filippo Grandi, has highlighted the dire situation, stating that more than 200,000 people have been displaced within Lebanon, with over 100,000 seeking refuge in neighboring Syria.
- Limited time for resolution - The United States, Qatar, and Egypt have been engaged in diplomatic efforts for several months to facilitate a ceasefire agreement, which has been met with resistance from critics of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In Gaza, the civil defense authority has reported that Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals in the central Nuseirat refugee camp. Furthermore, strikes on a school sheltering displaced individuals have led to the deaths of seven others and the injuries of nine more.
A report from the UN Satellite Centre has indicated that nearly two-thirds of the structures in the Gaza Strip have sustained damage over the course of nearly a year of conflict.
