The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified as it enters its second week, with both sides engaging in heavy exchanges of fire. The war began on March 2 when Hezbollah launched attacks to avenge the killing of Iran's former supreme leader.
Key Takeaways
The Israel-Lebanon conflict has escalated into its second week, with heavy exchanges of fire and a rising death toll. Israeli strikes have targeted Beirut suburbs and Hezbollah-linked financial institutions, while Hezbollah retaliates with missile attacks deep into Israel.
- Nearly 700,000 people displaced in Lebanon, including 200,000 children
- Lebanese president calls for direct talks with Israel to end conflict
- Israeli strikes kill at least 634 people and injure 1,586 in less than 10 days
- Hezbollah launches coordinated attacks with Iran against Israeli military bases
Over the past week, Israeli airstrikes have targeted Beirut's southern suburbs and other areas controlled by Hezbollah, including branches of the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Qard Al-Hassan financial institution. These strikes have sent plumes of smoke across the city and reportedly had limited direct financial impact on Hezbollah's operations.
According to Lebanese authorities, nearly 700,000 people—including around 200,000 children—have been displaced since March 2. The casualties include at least 634 people killed and 1,586 injured in less than 10 days of fighting. The Israeli military has ordered evacuations from southern suburbs, south Lebanon, and parts of the eastern Bekaa Valley region—areas that have served as political and security strongholds for Hezbollah.
The Lebanese president called for direct negotiations with Israel to end the conflict, accusing Hezbollah of betraying national interests. President Joseph Aoun outlined a four-point plan during a virtual meeting with European Union officials, proposing a complete truce coinciding with Hezbollah's disarmament and international assistance for the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Hezbollah has fired missiles deep into Israel, setting off air raid sirens in central Israel and its commercial hub Tel Aviv. The group coordinated attacks with Iran against Israeli military bases in Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Beersheba. Hezbollah's operation was dubbed 'Operation Chewed Wheat,' marking the most intense attack by the group since it first fired rockets at Israel 10 days earlier.
The Israeli military reported that two of its soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon on Sunday, marking the first fatalities of the conflict for Israel. No civilian casualties have been reported in Israel as a result of Hezbollah's rocket and drone attacks. Analysts suggest that the Israeli escalation and Hezbollah’s resumption of fighting are complicating the Lebanese government’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah.
Under the terms of a 2024 ceasefire deal between Hezbollah and Israel after more than a year of fighting, Israeli troops were to withdraw from southern Lebanon, and Hezbollah’s fighters were to go north of the Litani River. Both sides would stop attacks, and the south would be handed over to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). However, this ceasefire has been violated repeatedly by both sides.
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