1) News from the front:
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has escalated over the past 24 hours. From the night, major military operations were reported on both sides of the border. At around 4 a.m., Hezbollah units repelled an Israeli infiltration attempt from the southern Lebanese town of Markaba using heavy artillery. This operation caused several casualties among Israeli troops, marking a further escalation in the ground clashes.
Soon after, at around 5:30 a.m., Hezbollah launched a drone attack on the training camp of the elite Golani unit, located near Binyamina, in the Haifa area of Israel. Four Israeli soldiers were killed and 67 others wounded, some seriously. This attack demonstrated Hezbollah’s ability to strike deep into Israeli territory, disrupting Israeli military operations and causing panic in several communities in the north of the country.
Missile strikes fired from southern Lebanon also targeted Israeli positions around Khala Wardeh, as well as troop gatherings on the border. Hezbollah has claimed that its attacks have inflicted heavy losses on the Israeli army, but these claims have not yet been confirmed by independent sources.
2) Information on the bombings:
The Israeli bombardments on Lebanon were particularly violent during the night and morning. At around 8 a.m., airstrikes targeted several localities in the south, including Maaroub, Naqoura, Alma Al-Shaab and Labbouneh. These attacks have caused massive destruction in these residential areas, creating a situation of panic among residents.
In the town of Meifdoun, an Israeli strike killed five people, including a woman and two children. The attack has provoked outrage among the local population, who accuse Israel of deliberately targeting civilians. At the same time, strikes also hit the town of Yater, where three Israeli raids were reported in the morning.
Along the southern border, the towns of Kfar Shuba and Shabaa have been shelled several times, while Israeli artillery fire has been targeting these communities since dawn. Local hospitals, already overwhelmed, are struggling to respond to the influx of wounded caused by these incessant strikes.
On the Israeli side, air defenses were activated in the Haifa area after several missiles were fired from Lebanon. Although most were intercepted, some hit open areas on the outskirts of the city, causing explosions without causing casualties. However, the attack on the Binyamina military camp represented a major breach in Israel’s defense posture, causing serious concern among military officials.
3) Local political initiatives:
The Lebanese political scene is deeply divided over the management of the current conflict. Kataeb leader Sami Gemayel has sharply criticised Lebanon’s involvement in what he calls « an unnecessary war », saying it is time to recognise that the decision to join the conflict was a strategic mistake. He also urged the Lebanese authorities to take measures to protect the civilian population and avoid bringing further destruction to the country.
The Kataeb party, in a statement issued this morning, reiterated its position against what it calls the « repression » of the truth and denounced attempts to intimidate those who oppose the war. The statement echoes a growing opinion among some Lebanese political factions, who fear that the current conflict will further aggravate the social and economic crises the country is already experiencing.
Najib Mikati, Lebanon’s interim prime minister, for his part, reacted strongly to the Israeli request to withdraw UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon) troops, considering it « a new chapter in Israeli aggression ». He said Israel was trying to create a security vacuum in southern Lebanon in order to facilitate its military incursions.
4) Diplomatic initiatives:
On the diplomatic front, efforts are underway to avoid a wider escalation. Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, has warned that any attack on UNIFIL could amount to a war crime. The statement followed several incidents in which Israeli forces reportedly targeted UNIFIL positions, increasing the risk of a direct clash between Israel and international forces.
Emmanuel Macron, the French president, has stepped up his diplomatic efforts, contacting the Iranian president to discuss the possibility of a ceasefire. France, which has a long tradition of engagement in Lebanon, is trying to ease tensions and prevent the conflict from spreading to the region. Macron also spoke with Najib Mikati, insisting on the urgency of an immediate cessation of hostilities, and solicited Iran’s support in reducing Hezbollah’s military actions.
For its part, the United States reaffirmed its support for Israel while expressing concern for the safety of UNIFIL troops in Lebanon. Lloyd Austin, US Secretary of Defense, called his Israeli counterpart Benny Gantz to remind him of the importance of ensuring the security of the peacekeeping forces in Lebanon. Washington seems concerned about the possibility that the conflict could spread beyond Lebanon’s borders and destabilize the entire region.
5) Miscellaneous information:
The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon is worsening by the day, due to the bombings and fighting. The Lebanese Red Crescent has reported an alarming increase in the number of wounded, as hospitals in the south of the country are overwhelmed and lack essential medical supplies. In response to this situation, several shipments of humanitarian aid have been sent to Lebanon. This morning, a second Saudi shipment arrived at Beirut airport, bringing 30 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the conflict-affected populations.
International support is crucial to alleviate the collapse of Lebanon’s infrastructure. Israeli bombing has significantly affected roads, hospitals and schools in several southern regions, worsening an already dire situation.
At the same time, Hezbollah reiterated its commitment to protect Lebanon from any Israeli invasion. In a statement issued early this morning, the Shiite movement said its fighters were ready to intensify their operations if Israel continued its attacks on Lebanese civilians. The statement also mentioned that the recent attack on the Golani training camp in Binyamina is only a « glimpse » of Hizbullah’s capabilities, and that other large-scale operations could follow if hostilities continue.
