On September 8, 2024, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated dramatically as Hezbollah launched a barrage of over 50 rockets towards northern Israel, primarily targeting the town of Kiryat Shmona. This attack was a direct retaliation for an Israeli airstrike on September 7 that killed three Lebanese civil defense members in the town of Froun.The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported intercepting several rockets, with some causing damage to buildings and infrastructure in Kiryat Shmona, but no injuries were reported. Hezbollah claimed to have used various types of rockets, including Falaq and Katyusha, in their assault.In response to Hezbollah’s rocket attack, the Israeli military conducted airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, specifically in the areas of Aitaroun, Maroun al-Ras, and Yaroun. The IDF stated that these strikes targeted Hezbollah military structures.The recent escalation has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region. According to the Lebanese Foreign Ministry, approximately 100,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in southern Lebanon due to Israeli shelling, while about 80,000 residents of northern Israel have been similarly displaced.The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Since October 2023, at least 614 people have been killed in Lebanon, including 138 civilians, while 24 soldiers and 26 civilians have died on the Israeli side. The violence has also taken a toll on emergency personnel, with Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad reporting that 27 emergency workers and health personnel have been killed and 94 others wounded since October.As tensions continue to rise, there are growing concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with calls for de-escalation and a return to diplomatic channels to resolve the ongoing crisis.
Key points
- Hezbollah fired over 50 rockets at northern Israel in retaliation for the killing of Lebanese civil defense members.
- Israel responded with airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.
- The conflict has displaced approximately 180,000 people on both sides of the border.
- At least 614 people in Lebanon and 50 in Israel have been killed since October 2023.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported number of rockets fired by Hezbollah, with some sources citing ‘over 50’ while others specify ‘100 rockets’.
👾The exact number of casualties varies slightly between sources, though all indicate significant losses on both sides.
