Hezbollah launches rockets at Golan following Israeli raid; 4 wounded

Overnight, Israeli airstrikes targeted the vicinity of Baalbek, a city in eastern Lebanon, injuring four individuals. One of the strikes hit a residential two-story building. These events mark a continuation of the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based militant group and ally of Hamas, which have intensified since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October.

The targeted area in Baalbek, known to be a stronghold for Hezbollah, was hit several times by Israel as part of its broader campaign against what it identifies as militant positions. According to the Israeli military, the airstrikes were aimed at a Hezbollah weapon manufacturing site in the Baalbek region.

The strikes reportedly hit a previously abandoned Hezbollah center, resulting in injuries to four civilians residing in adjacent buildings. A correspondent for AFP detailed that five missiles were launched by the Israeli air force at a building in al-Osseira, located on the outskirts of Baalbek and inhabited by civilians, suggesting a notable escalation in the conflict’s intensity.

In retaliation, Hezbollah claimed to have fired over 60 rockets at Israeli military sites in the occupied Golan Heights, indicating a tit-for-tat exchange between the two parties. This latest escalation disrupts a brief calm that had persisted for about ten days, underscoring the fragility of the situation.

Hezbollah has asserted that its attacks against Israel are in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza, pledging to continue until a ceasefire is reached in the region. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has made clear that any ceasefire in Gaza would not deter Israel’s efforts to counter Hezbollah activities along its northern frontier, whether through military action or diplomatic means.

The ongoing conflict has led to significant casualties on both sides, with Lebanon witnessing the deaths of over 320 individuals, predominantly Hezbollah fighters and some civilians, and Israel suffering the loss of both military personnel and civilians. This cycle of violence has also forced thousands from their homes in southern Lebanon and northern Israel, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the area.