Israel-Hezbollah conflict: Lebanon’s Christian-majority area hit in airstrike as tensions rise with UN peacekeepers – This is what PM Netanyahu said

Israel intensified its military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon on Monday, conducting airstrikes that killed at least 21 people in the northern town of Aitou, a Christian-majority area. The attack targeted a house rented to displaced families, leaving eight others injured, according to Lebanese health officials. This escalation comes as Israel continues to confront Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, amidst increasing cross-border clashes, reports the Associated Press.

Expanding Targets and Widening Conflict

Israel’s primary focus in its Lebanon operations has been on the Bekaa Valley, Beirut suburbs, and southern Lebanon. However, Monday’s airstrike in the north indicates an expansion of targets. Meanwhile, Israeli civilians across the country sought shelter from Hezbollah’s counterattacks, which included the launch of approximately 115 projectiles into Israel, three of which were intercepted by the Israeli military. The attacks prompted sirens in central Israel but no casualties were reported.

In response to the escalating violence, Israel ordered residents of 25 villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate north of the Awali River, approximately 60 kilometres from the Israeli border. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the offensive against Hezbollah “without mercy, everywhere in Lebanon – including Beirut.”

Tensions with UN Peacekeepers

As Israel ramps up its ground operations in southern Lebanon, tensions have risen with the UN peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, stationed in the region. The UN Security Council expressed concern after several peacekeeping positions came under fire amid the clashes. The situation escalated further on Sunday when Israeli tanks reportedly breached a U.N. base.

Netanyahu firmly rejected accusations that Israeli forces had deliberately endangered U.N. peacekeepers, calling the allegations “completely false.” He acknowledged the risk to UNIFIL personnel but emphasised that Hezbollah had used U.N. positions as cover for their attacks. Netanyahu urged peacekeepers to withdraw from areas of conflict temporarily for their safety.

UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti stated that the mission would remain in southern Lebanon despite the heightened tensions, asserting the importance of maintaining an international presence in the area. The U.N. forces have expressed concerns that Israeli operations have hindered their ability to monitor violations of international law.

Ground Operations and Hezbollah’s Tactics

Since launching its ground offensive near the Lebanese border, the Israeli military claims to have destroyed numerous Hezbollah tunnel shafts, command posts, and rocket launchers. On Sunday, the military took foreign journalists into southern Lebanon, where they were shown a Hezbollah tunnel located just 200 meters from a UNIFIL position. The tunnel, concealed by undergrowth, was part of a larger Hezbollah military base, according to Israeli officials.

Hezbollah, which has been a key player in the conflict, resumed rocket fire into Israel a year ago in solidarity with Palestinian militants during the Gaza war. Since then, the conflict has escalated sharply, with both sides intensifying their attacks. Israel’s military efforts aim to secure the return of tens of thousands of people displaced from their homes in northern Israel due to the cross-border violence.

Regional and International Repercussions

As the conflict unfolds, there is growing international concern about the potential for broader regional instability. U.N. sources have expressed alarm over the difficulty of monitoring the situation for possible violations of international law. Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East remain high, with fears that Israel may retaliate against Iran for a missile barrage launched on October 1 in response to Israeli operations in Lebanon.

The conflict has prompted warnings from several countries. The U.S. embassy in Lebanon strongly urged American citizens to leave the country, cautioning that government-arranged evacuation flights may not continue indefinitely. Similarly, Australia advised its citizens to avoid travel to Israel and urged those already in the country to leave while commercial flights were still available.

As the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah intensifies, the region faces a growing humanitarian crisis, and the possibility of further escalation looms large. The international community is closely watching how the conflict may evolve, with hopes for de-escalation fading amid the current surge in violence.