As the Israeli war on Lebanon entered its forty-first day on Sunday, the Lebanese “Hezbollah” continued to target the northern settlements, in addition to direct confrontations with the Israeli army on the outskirts of the border towns, while the Israeli army issued a warning to the residents of the Baalbek area in the Bekaa, eastern Lebanon, to evacuate some buildings. .
Israeli raids continued on Sunday on dozens of Lebanese towns and large areas in the south, the Bekaa and Akkar. The town of Khiam was subjected to intense Israeli raids and artillery shelling, accompanied by sweeping operations with machine guns. Raids were recorded on the towns of Houmin, Kafrfila, Shaqra, Adloun, and Ansariya.
Several towns in the Tire, Bint Jbeil and Nabatieh districts were subjected to Israeli raids. An intensity of operations was observed in the vicinity of the town of Maroun al-Ras and on its outskirts. For the first time, an Israeli raid was carried out on the Jabal Akrum border area with Syria in Akkar, the far north of Lebanon.
For its part, the Lebanese “Hezbollah” announced in successive statements, targeting the settlements of Shamir, Kadmat, Katzrin, Shlomi, Baram, Rosh HaNikra, and Even Menachem with missile launchers.
Hezbollah also targeted a gathering of enemy Israeli soldiers on “Khazzan Hill” on the outskirts of the town of Hula with a missile launcher.
Since this morning, Sunday, sirens have been sounding in a number of areas of northern and central Israel, while the army announced that it had monitored the launch of a number of missiles and a suspicious target launched from Lebanon.
The Israeli army said in a number of statements, “After the sirens sounded in the Haifa Bay and Galilee area, about 10 shells were identified that crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory.” Some of them were intercepted, and the rest fell in open areas.”
In another statement, the Israeli army said, “After sirens sounded between 07:26 and 07:29 a.m. in the Upper Galilee and Western Galilee regions, about five shells were identified that fell in an open area.”
The Israeli army confirmed that “earlier today, the Israeli Air Force intercepted a suspicious air target that approached Lebanon but did not cross into Israeli territory.”
After sirens sounded in the areas of Menashe and Carmel in central Israel, the Israeli army announced that “two missiles were detected penetrating Israeli territory from Lebanon.” The Israeli Air Force successfully intercepted one missile and the second fell in an open area.”
He added that after hearing sirens in the Western Galilee region, about 10 missiles were detected penetrating Lebanese territory. Some of the missiles were intercepted and the rest fell in open areas.
Last updated: November 3, 2024 – 12:55
Suggest a correction
Title: Understanding the Current Situation: An Interview with Dr. Sarah Cohen, Middle Eastern Conflict Expert
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome, Dr. Cohen. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the ongoing situation in Lebanon and Israel, which has entered its forty-first day.
Dr. Sarah Cohen: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to shed light on the complexities of this conflict, especially now.
Interviewer: Let’s start with Hezbollah’s involvement. They’ve continued to target Israeli settlements and have been engaged in direct confrontations with the Israeli army. What do you make of their strategy at this point?
Dr. Cohen: Hezbollah’s strategy seems to be a mix of defending its territory and asserting its military capabilities. By targeting Israeli settlements, they aim to send a message of resistance. This approach not only galvanizes internal support in Lebanon but also seeks to intimidate Israel by showcasing their operational reach.
Interviewer: Israel has responded with significant military action, including widespread raids in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. What does that signify in terms of Israel’s military objectives?
Dr. Cohen: Israel’s aggressive military response signifies a determination to destabilize Hezbollah’s operational capacity. The air raids and artillery shelling are aimed at undermining Hezbollah’s ability to launch attacks, particularly in strategic areas that pose a direct threat to Israeli settlements. This cycle of retaliation is expected, but it also raises concerns about civilian casualties in densely populated areas.
Interviewer: Indeed, civilian safety is a major concern. Reports indicate that the Israeli army has issued evacuation warnings to residents in the Baalbek area. How do you view the humanitarian implications of this ongoing conflict?
Dr. Cohen: The humanitarian implications are severe. Evacuations may save lives, but they also create a refugee crisis, straining resources in Lebanon and heightening tensions in the region. The constant threat of military action makes daily life unbearable for civilians, and international humanitarian law is increasingly at risk of being violated amidst this warfare.
Interviewer: Hezbollah’s recent missile strikes on Israeli positions have escalated tensions further. How do you see this affecting the broader geopolitical landscape in the region?
Dr. Cohen: The escalation indeed impacts the geopolitical dynamics significantly. It invites potential intervention from regional and even international actors who have vested interests in Lebanon and Israel. The ongoing conflict might also draw attention away from pressing domestic issues within Lebanon and Israel, reshaping political narratives in both countries.
Interviewer: With the ongoing attacks, sirens sounding in northern Israel, and military movements intensifying, what are the prospects for a ceasefire or peace negotiations in the near future?
Dr. Cohen: While a ceasefire is always a possibility, it will require a fundamental shift in both sides’ willingness to compromise. Currently, the hardline stances of both Israel and Hezbollah suggest that a negotiated peace is unlikely in the short term. The realities on the ground need to change, and external pressure from world powers may be necessary to broker any form of dialogue.
Interviewer: It appears we are in for a long and difficult phase. Thank you, Dr. Cohen, for your insights and analysis. The situation is indeed complex and requires close observation.
Dr. Cohen: Thank you. It’s essential for all of us to stay informed and engaged with the developments as they unfold.
Interviewer: We look forward to your continued expertise in these matters. Thank you again.