Israeli fighter jets flew low over Beirut on Tuesday, creating sonic booms that rattled windows throughout the Lebanese capital. The flyover was in response to drone attacks on northern Israel by Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah promised strong retaliation for alleged Israeli assassinations, stating that the response would be carried out with deliberation and prudence.
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah are at their peak since limited exchanges began in October, with thousands displaced on both sides of the border. Recent Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran have raised concerns of further escalation. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for sending drones to target Israeli military positions, leading to injuries and fatalities on both sides.
Critics have noted some failures in Israel’s defense systems, as interceptors were unable to stop all the drones launched by Hezbollah. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported casualties from Israeli raids in southern towns. The situation remains volatile, with fears that retaliatory actions could escalate into a full-scale war. The ongoing tensions highlight the fragility of the Israel-Lebanon relationship and the potential for further violence as both sides navigate a delicate balance of power.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com