Ground Operations in Lebanon, Eight personnel killed, Israeli military confirms
The Israeli military has confirmed that eight soldiers, including a team commander, were killed since launching ground operations in southern Lebanon on Wednesday. These operations involve "close-range" combat, targeting Hezbollah's infrastructure with precision-guided munitions. This development occurs amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, following Tehran's missile barrage on Tel Aviv earlier this week. Israel's military chief has vowed retaliation, stating they can strike anywhere in the Middle East.
Israel is preparing a major response to Iran's missile attack, which could involve targeting oil facilities in Iran, according to a report by Reuters citing Axios. Israeli officials mentioned that this retaliation would be more extensive than the one following Iran's missile strike in April.
On Tuesday, Iran launched 200 ballistic missiles into Israel, resulting in simultaneous conflicts on multiple fronts. While many were intercepted by Israel’s defense systems, some hit central and southern regions. Though injuries were minimal, a Palestinian man was killed by shrapnel in the West Bank. Air raid sirens and missile trails lit up the sky as residents sought shelter.
In response to the growing conflict, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the UN Security Council to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control. He stated that UN peacekeeping forces would remain in Lebanon, despite Israel's request to relocate them. Guterres emphasized the need for a ceasefire and warned against an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah.
Wednesday marked Israel's deadliest day on the Lebanese front, with eight soldiers falling during fierce battles with Hezbollah militants. The Israeli Defense Forces posted a tribute to the soldiers on X (formerly Twitter), naming the fallen heroes. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for destroying three Israeli tanks during the combat, further escalating the conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video address, expressed condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and reiterated Israel's commitment to defeating Iran's "axis of evil." He promised to return hostages from Gaza and ensure the safety of residents displaced by the fighting.
Iran has announced a public memorial for Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by Israel last week, with Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, set to lead the service. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden is set to join a G7 call to discuss the worsening Middle East crisis. The Biden administration has warned of severe consequences for Iran, and is closely coordinating with Israeli officials on their next steps.