ON the eve of the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks that ignited the Israel-Gaza war, Israel launched airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.
The strikes come as Israel’s Defense Minister declared all options open for retaliation against Iran, Hezbollah’s main backer.
In a significant escalation, Israeli air strikes battered Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday, marking the most intense bombardment of the Lebanese capital since Israel intensified its campaign against Hezbollah last month. The strikes targeted Hezbollah’s Intelligence Headquarters and weapons storage facilities in Beirut, as well as positions in southern Lebanon and the Beqaa area.
Hezbollah responded by launching rockets from Lebanon, some of which bypassed Israeli air defense systems and landed in Haifa, Israel’s third-largest city, causing damage to buildings and injuring at least 10 people. The group claimed responsibility for targeting a military site south of Haifa with a salvo of “Fadi 1” missiles.
Meanwhile, Hamas-led militants fired rockets from Gaza into Israel, marking the start of the October 7 attacks last year. The initial attacks resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the capture of over 250 hostages. Israel’s subsequent offensive in Gaza has devastated the densely populated coastal enclave, leading to the deaths of nearly 42,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health authorities.
As the anniversary approaches, pro-Palestinian demonstrations have taken place around the world, from Jakarta and Istanbul to Rabat, following rallies in major European capitals, Washington, and New York on Saturday. The escalating violence and heightened tensions raise concerns about the potential for further conflict in the region.
