Today, Monday, the Israeli army announced the killing of two leaders, one in Hezbollah in Lebanon and the other in the Jihad Movement in the Gaza Strip, in conjunction with continuous bombing of villages and towns in southern and eastern Lebanon, which led to “the displacement of more than 70 percent of the population of the city of Baalbek.” Hezbollah responded by bombing the Galilee settlements and the Haifa Technical Base with specific missiles.
The Israeli army said that it killed Abu Ali Reda, a leader in Hezbollah in the Baraashit area in southern Lebanon, and Ahmed Al-Dalu, a leader in the “Islamic Jihad” intelligence member, who is believed to have attacked the Kfar Azza settlement on October 7, 2023, in Gaza.
According to the Israeli army, Abu Ali Reda was responsible for planning and implementing missile and anti-tank attacks on Israeli army forces and supervised the activities of Hezbollah operatives in the area.
In the Gaza Strip, Al-Dalu was killed by bombing by Israeli aircraft, under the direction of the General Security Service and the ground forces of the Israeli army.
Israeli raids on Baalbek in Lebanon cause the displacement of more than 70 percent of the population
This comes in conjunction with the continuous bombing of villages and towns in southern and eastern Lebanon, which led to “the displacement of more than 70 percent of the population of the city of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon during the past few days, due to bombing and Israeli evacuation orders,” according to a report by the National News Agency, the official in Lebanon.
The agency said that the Israeli bombing “hit the city and its surroundings, and areas near Baalbek Citadel and other monuments, and also hit hospitals, schools, and institutes, as well as tourist facilities.”
On the other hand, 3 people were killed in an Israeli air strike on the town of Haret Sidon in southern Lebanon, and two others were killed in a raid on the town of Jabal al-Butm in the Tire district in southern Lebanon.
On Sunday, the Israeli army issued new evacuation orders for the residents of Baalbek Governorate, warning against attacking it due to “the presence of Hezbollah interests there,” while the United Nations stated that the humanitarian situation in Lebanon is worse now than it was during the last war between Israel and Hezbollah 18 years ago.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said, “The humanitarian situation in Lebanon has reached levels that exceed the severity of the 2006 war.”
Hezbollah bombs the Galilee settlements and the Haifa technical base with specific missiles
For its part, the Lebanese Hezbollah announced on Sunday that it had attacked 4 military bases and 14 settlements north of Israel, as part of 28 attacks it had carried out since the beginning of Sunday.
The party said that among the targets it attacked were the Zovulon military industries base, north of the city of Haifa, and gatherings of Israeli soldiers in the Galilee and the Golan.
He added in a series of statements on the Telegram platform, “For the first time, we bombed the Haifa Technical Base of the Israeli Air Force, which contains a training college to prepare Air Force technicians, in the occupied city of Haifa, with a batch of qualitative missiles.”
Party fighters also launched a squadron of drones at the “Eliakim” base, which contains training camps affiliated with the Northern Region Command, south of the city of Haifa.
They bombed with a batch of missiles the “Beit Lid” base of the Central Command, which contains training camps belonging to the Nahal Brigade and the Paratroopers Brigade, east of the city of Netanya.
They targeted, with three batches of missiles, the Zovulon Military Industries Base north of the city of Haifa, a gathering of Israeli forces at the Israeli military site Al-Baghdadi, and a gathering at the newly created headquarters of the Western Brigade Command in the Yaara Barracks.
Hezbollah also fired batches of rockets at gatherings of soldiers in the Khallet al-Bardushah area near the Al-Manara settlement and the settlements of Sa’ar, Metulla, Shlomi, Rosh Hanikra, Kadmat Zvi, Shamir, Baram, Metzova, Evin, Shomira, and Zarit.
The party stressed, in its statements, that these attacks come “in support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, in support of their brave and honorable resistance, and in defense of Lebanon and its people.”
On Sunday, the Israeli army announced that it had detected two missiles fired from southern Lebanon towards the city of Haifa in the north, while two drones penetrated the border before one of them fell and the other was intercepted.
The aggression against Lebanon resulted in a total of 2,968 dead and 13,319 wounded, including a large number of children and women, in addition to about 1,400,000 displaced persons. Most of the victims and displaced persons were recorded after September 23 of last year.
Last updated: November 4, 2024 – 10:29
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Interview between Time.news Editor and Middle East Conflict Expert
Editor: Good morning and welcome to Time.news. Today, we have with us Dr. Sarah Klein, a prominent expert on Middle East affairs. Dr. Klein, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Klein: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: There’s been a significant escalation in the conflict, particularly with the recent announcements from the Israeli army regarding the killing of two key leaders—Abu Ali Reda from Hezbollah and Ahmed Al-Dalu from Islamic Jihad. Can you give us a glimpse of the implications of these actions?
Dr. Klein: Absolutely. The targeting and elimination of these leaders are strategic moves by Israel, aimed at disrupting the operational capabilities of both Hezbollah in Lebanon and Islamic Jihad in Gaza. Abu Ali Reda, for instance, was pivotal in planning missile attacks against Israeli forces. His death could lead to a temporary disruption in Hezbollah’s operational leadership, but it’s important to note that these groups are often resilient and can adapt quickly.
Editor: The Israeli airstrikes have led to significant civilian displacement in areas like Baalbek, with reports indicating that over 70% of the population has been affected. How does this humanitarian impact compare to previous conflicts, particularly the last war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006?
Dr. Klein: The current humanitarian situation is alarming. According to the United Nations, the conditions in Lebanon have deteriorated even beyond the severe levels witnessed during the 2006 conflict. The displacement and destruction of critical infrastructure—including hospitals and schools—are not just immediate humanitarian concerns but may also sow seeds for long-term instability and resentment among the affected populations.
Editor: Hezbollah has responded by bombarding multiple Israeli military sites and settlements in the Galilee. What does this escalation indicate in terms of their military strategy and capabilities?
Dr. Klein: Hezbollah’s recent retaliatory strikes reflect an evolution in their operational tactics. Targeting specific military installations, such as the Haifa Technical Base, suggests they are not just conducting random attacks but rather executing planned strikes designed to degrade Israel’s military capabilities. Their use of precision missiles indicates they have advanced their technology and operational proficiency, which is concerning for the Israeli defense forces.
Editor: With both sides engaging in escalating violence, what do you foresee as the potential outcomes in the short and long term?
Dr. Klein: In the short term, we could see continued escalations, resulting in further military engagements, civil displacement, and deepening humanitarian crises. Long-term, if this cycle of violence persists without diplomatic interventions, it could lead to a broader regional conflict involving other players. However, it’s also possible that the international community may step in to mediate an uneasy ceasefire, aiming to de-escalate the situation and address humanitarian concerns.
Editor: What role do international observers, such as the United Nations, play in this context, especially given their reports of deteriorating humanitarian conditions?
Dr. Klein: The United Nations plays a critical role in monitoring human rights violations and providing humanitarian aid where possible. However, their effectiveness often hinges on the willingness of parties to comply with international law. In times of intense conflict, as we see now, their ability to mediate and enforce ceasefires can be significantly limited. Nevertheless, their reports can galvanize international attention and pressure on both sides to seek a resolution.
Editor: Given the complex backdrop of this conflict, what can concerned global citizens do to promote peace and support humanitarian efforts?
Dr. Klein: Raising awareness is key. Educating oneself and others about the nuances of the conflict, supporting organizations that provide humanitarian aid, and advocating for diplomatic solutions through petitions or contacting policymakers are all effective steps. Engaging in respectful dialogue about the issues can also help in fostering understanding and empathy.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Klein, for your insights into this challenging situation. It’s vital for us to stay informed and engaged as events unfold in the region.
Dr. Klein: Thank you for having me. It’s essential that we keep the conversation going, especially in such turbulent times.
Editor: And thank you to our viewers for tuning in. Stay updated with us at Time.news for the latest developments.