The specter of a regionalized conflict is becoming clearer as the escalation between Tel Aviv and Hezbollah progresses. Accusing the Hebrew state of “provocative measures”, Egypt raised the risk of a “total war” in the Middle East on Sunday, September 22. A few minutes earlier, the head of the Hebrew state’s army had assured that it could “reach anyone” who threatens its citizens.
A warning that follows a new exchange of fire between Tsahal and the Lebanese Islamist movement on Sunday. The latter notably inflicted a series of strikes on Israel in the north of its territory. An operation welcomed by Hamas, which congratulated its ally for having continued to fire rockets on northern Israel despite the blows inflicted by the Israeli army on the Lebanese movement.
Key information to remember
⇒ Israel carries out intense strikes in southern Lebanon
⇒ Messages from the Hebrew State to the Lebanese population
⇒ Hezbollah announces “new phase” in war
Israel conducts intense strikes in southern Lebanon
This Monday morning, the Hebrew state carried out some 150 strikes on the south and east of Lebanon. “Enemy warplanes” launched “more than 80 airstrikes in half an hour”, targeting the Nabatiyeh sector, indicated the official Lebanese news agency (ANI) which also reported “intense raids in the Bekaa Valley”, in the east of the country and deeper into Lebanese territory.
For now, the toll of this operation stands at one dead, a civilian. Two members of his family were also reportedly injured. In recent days, Israel has managed to kill several members of Hezbollah: two in raids conducted on Sunday, and sixteen on Friday during a strike targeting the suburbs of Beirut that also led to the death of several dozen civilians.
Israel’s warning to Lebanese civilians
A few hours before the Israeli shootings on Monday, Lebanese people, and in particular residents of Beirut, reportedly received letters from the Hebrew state. Warnings in the form of voice messages left on their landlines, ordering them to leave the area.
A first since the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023 that rekindled the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “We advise civilians in Lebanese villages located in or near buildings and areas used by Hezbollah for military purposes, such as those used to store weapons, to immediately take shelter for their own safety,” an army spokesperson said during a press briefing.
Located in the capital of the country of the Cedars, the office of the Lebanese Minister of Information also reportedly received a call. “The landline rang […] When the minister’s assistant answered, she heard a recorded message asking (staff) to evacuate the building or face bombing,” the ministry told AFP.
Hezbollah announces “new phase”
This Sunday, the funeral of Ibrahim Aqil took place, a senior military official killed Friday by an Israeli strike alongside 16 other members of Hezbollah. The opportunity for the number two of the Lebanese Islamist movement, Naïm Qassem, to target the Hebrew State against which he assures that he is ready “for all military scenarios”.
“Threats will not stop us,” he insisted, indicating the beginning of “a new phase of the war”: that of settling “open scores.” And Naïm Qassem reiterated that only a ceasefire in Gaza would put an end to the attacks of the pro-Iranian movement.