The tension between Hezbollah and Israel developed a new chapter on Tuesday, October 8, after the Lebanese group launched a massive rocket offensive against several Israeli cities, including Haifa. In response, Israel intensified its airstrikes on targets in Beirut and Damascus, where, according to local reports, 7 people lost their lives.
The exchange of fire has caused tens of thousands of Israelis to evacuate their homes in the northern part of the country, while the Israeli government warned that it could escalate retaliation, threatening to turn Lebanon into a situation similar to what Gaza is facing.
Benjamin Netanyahu's warning
The Prime Minister of Israel issued a direct warning to the Lebanese population amid the escalating conflict with Hezbollah. "A long war will bring destruction and suffering similar to what we see in Gaza," Netanyahu stated through the social network X, urging the Lebanese to act to prevent their country from falling into an even more devastating situation.
The Israeli leader stated that the citizens of Lebanon have "the opportunity to save" their nation by freeing themselves from the influence of Hezbollah, a militant group that has been at the center of the conflict. According to Netanyahu, if Lebanon manages to detach itself from the Lebanese Shiite Muslim paramilitary group, the war could come to an end.
Netanyahu assures that they eliminated Nasrallah’s replacements
The Lebanese group is temporarily led by Sheikh Naim Kassem following the death of Hassan Nasrallah.
Netanyahu said that "we have eliminated thousands of terrorists, including Nasrallah himself and Nasrallah's replacement, and the replacement of his replacement." However, he did not specify who these individuals are.
In recent weeks, the name that sounded like one of the main favorites to become the new leader of Hezbollah was Hasem Safieddine, cousin of Nasrallah. However, a few days ago, sources from the Islamist group revealed that they had lost contact with him after the Israeli bombings last week.
Border escalation and new military deployments
The Israeli army confirmed the launching of more than 170 rockets by Hezbollah, which led to the closure of schools and the implementation of restrictions in the daily lives of residents in northern Israel.
Faced with the growing threat, Israel has mobilized more troops towards the border with Lebanon, deploying a fourth military division in the area and extending operations to the west, with a main focus on the border surroundings.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah downplayed the impact of Israeli bombings by ensuring that their military capabilities remain intact.