Escalating Conflict: Hezbollah Targets Israel Amid Calls for Ceasefire

International News Department 25/11/2024

The ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has intensified, with both sides engaging in increasingly aggressive actions. This escalation occurs as international efforts to negotiate a ceasefire gain momentum but face significant hurdles.

In response to an Israeli airstrike on central Beirut that killed at least 29 people and injured 66 others, Hezbollah launched a large-scale missile attack on Israel. The group targeted the Ashdod naval base in southern Israel for the first time, along with a military site in Tel Aviv using advanced missiles and strike drones. According to Israeli military reports, over 340 projectiles were launched from Lebanon, prompting air raid sirens in central and northern Israel, including areas near Tel Aviv. While many projectiles were intercepted, several caused injuries, with at least 11 people wounded, one critically.

The Lebanese government condemned Israel’s actions, with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati denouncing the strike in Beirut as a direct assault on efforts to broker peace. Mikati characterized the attack as a “bloody message” rejecting diplomatic solutions and ongoing international mediation.

Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker, Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally, has been actively mediating within the group to encourage de-escalation. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported that Israeli attacks have killed over 3,500 Lebanese civilians and displaced approximately 1.2 million people.

International Mediation and Ceasefire Prospects

The European Union’s High Representative, Josep Borrell, emphasized the need for immediate action, advocating for a ceasefire and the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. This resolution, which ended the 2006 war, calls for the withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters and Israeli troops from southern Lebanon below the Litani River. In line with this, the EU has pledged €200 million to support the Lebanese military in deploying additional forces to the region, alongside UN peacekeepers.

The United States, under the Biden administration, has also been heavily involved in mediation efforts, with US envoy Amos Hochstein actively working on brokering a ceasefire. Despite months of negotiations, a final agreement remains elusive.

Israel’s military campaign has intensified, targeting southern Lebanon with ground and air assaults. These strikes have killed over 40 Lebanese soldiers, despite the Lebanese army largely remaining neutral in the conflict. One recent attack on an army post in al-Amriyeh killed a soldier and injured 18 others. The Israeli military has previously described attacks on Lebanese troops as accidental.

On Israel’s side, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of 90 soldiers and 50 civilians, primarily due to cross-border bombardments and battles in northern Israel. The violence has also displaced approximately 60,000 Israelis from the northern region.

The Broader Context

This escalation follows months of limited cross-border exchanges, with Hezbollah framing its actions as support for Hamas in Gaza. Hezbollah has offered to cease its attacks if Israel halts its military campaign in Gaza, which has seen relentless bombardment for over a year.

As the conflict continues, the humanitarian toll mounts on both sides, underscoring the urgent need for international intervention and a sustainable resolution. However, with both parties entrenched in their positions, achieving a ceasefire remains a formidable challenge.