On Friday, Israel intensified its missile assaults on Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 individuals. This escalation comes amid warnings from Hezbollah militants, who have declared their increased resolve to continue fighting as peace negotiations are slated for the following week.
Among the casualties, 13 were confirmed as security staff at a government facility in Nabatieh, a southern city that was heavily bombarded by Israeli aircraft, according to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
An additional fatality occurred in the southern town of Hannawiya, further illustrating the widespread impact of the strikes.
The bombardment was relentless throughout the morning, as reported by an Al Jazeera correspondent on site.
Residential areas in Hanine and Aita al-Shaab were severely damaged, and further strikes were reported in al-Majadel, within the Tyre region.
Lebanon’s overall death toll from the recent conflict, which authorities say has surpassed 300, has only strengthened Hezbollah’s commitment to retaliate.
âThe sacrifices make us more determined to liberate our land,â the terror group’s chief, Naim Qassem, said, while claiming the Jewish state’s attacks were failing, the Financial Times reported.
â[Israel] has been unable to carry out the ground invasion it repeatedly announced,â Qassem said. âIt has repeatedly changed its objectives.”
Hezbollah on Friday responded by firing rockets into northern Israel, with a concentrated attack at the Ashdod naval base.
The terror group said its attack was in response to the âviolation of the cease-fire and its repeated attacks on Beirut, and after the Resistance adhered to the cease-fire while the enemy did not.”
Hezbollah had previously paused attacks on Israel amid the cease-fire deal between Iran, Israel and the US, but resumed after Israel reignited its own crusade in Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said attacks against Lebanon would not stop until the safety of Israel is assured, emphasizing that the cease-fire with Iran does not include Hezbollah.
The Jewish state launched a wave of airstrikes aimed at Hezbollah rocket-launching sites in southern Beirut that were allegedly going to be used to attack Israel.
Israeli and Lebanese officials are still expected to meet in Washington next week as President Trump looks to end the fighting between the two nations.
Peace was a key demand by Iran as part of the fragile cease-fire deal.
With Post wires
