Fears of Israel-Hezbollah war heighten amidst exchange of strikes
Israeli jets struck southern Lebanon last night, as world leaders urged restraint in an attempt to prevent a regional war. The strikes were in direct response to a rocket attack in the occupied Golan Heights that killed at least 12 people.
Israel’s education minister, Yoav Kisch, said he expects the cabinet to respond “with full force”…even if it means entering into an all-out war” with Hezbollah.
However, four Israeli officials, who included a senior defence official and a diplomatic source, spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.
“The estimation is that the response will not lead to an all-out war,” said the diplomatic source. “That would not be in our interest at this point.”
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed the attack on the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, saying, “It was their rocket, and launched from an area they control.” He added, “It should be universally condemned.”
The IDF released images of shrapnel that it claims show the deployment of an Iranian-made Falaq-1 rocket.
Hezbollah has strongly denied responsibility – though it did say it was behind a volley of rocket fire intended for Israeli military targets in Golan Heights earlier the same day.
The Golan Heights is a strategically significant region and has been a point of contention primarily between Israel and Syria. Most countries and international organizations, including the United Nations, view the Golan Heights as Syrian land under Israeli occupation. In 2019, then-President Donald Trump recognised Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
The White House issued a statement saying the “horrific” strike in the region which provoked Israel’s response was from a Hezbollah rocket, launched from an area the group controls.
Below is the full statement from US National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson.
We have been in continuous discussions with Israeli and Lebanese counterparts since the horrific attack yesterday in northern Israel that killed a number of children playing soccer.
This attack was conducted by Lebanese Hezbollah. It was their rocket, and launched from an area they control. It should be universally condemned.
Hezbollah started firing on Israel on October 8, claiming solidarity with Hamas, another Iranian-backed terrorist group. Our support for Israel’s security is ironclad and unwavering against all Iran-backed threats, including Hezbollah.
The United States is also working on a diplomatic solution along the Blue Line that will end all attacks once and for all, and allow citizens on both sides of the border to safely return to their homes.
As uncertainty looms and world leaders scramble to prevent further escalating conflict, let’s see how the media has responded.
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- deliberately misleading – there isn’t currently a ‘war’ per se
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Israel strikes deep in Lebanon after rocket attack, stoking fear of wider war
