Israel sends more troops into Lebanon; Hezbollah mounts fierce resistance

TEL AVIV: Israel has escalated its ground operations in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah following an Iranian missile attack. The Israeli military claims to have destroyed 700 Hezbollah strongholds and has ordered evacuations from 25 villages in the region. Despite Israeli advances, Hezbollah fighters have mounted fierce resistance, leading to the death of one Israeli soldier—the first casualty since the ground war began. A skirmish in the town of Adaysay saw Israeli forces suffer significant losses.

In response, Hezbollah launched missile strikes on Israeli military barracks in Shtula, Mashkaf Am, and Shomera. Israel has retaliated with a barrage of airstrikes, including a deadly attack on Dahiya in Beirut. The city, once bustling, now resembles a ghost town as civilians flee from the relentless explosions.

Israeli forces have also destroyed three villages believed to house Hezbollah's weapons depots. In Mees el Jabal, a 150-meter tunnel dug beneath residential homes contained a significant weapons cache. In Kafarkela, another tunnel, 100 meters long, was discovered running through a children’s room in a house full of arms. Nurit village, with its military posts and rocket launchers, also saw destruction, as Israeli forces uncovered interconnected tunnels used as storage depots, command centers and living quarters.

There is growing speculation that Israel may launch strikes on Iran, targeting its nuclear facilities and petrochemical plants. The United States, which has issued warnings to Iran, continues to back Israel in its military efforts.

Battle for Galilee

Tensions are further exacerbated by Hezbollah’s announcement of plans for a Hamas-style assault on Galilee, a northern Israeli region significant for its religious history. Once the site where Jesus Christ is believed to have walked on water, Galilee has now seen 60,000 Israeli citizens flee in fear of an impending Hezbollah offensive.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett described the situation as “the biggest opportunity in 50 years to change the face of West Asia.”

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been banned from entering Israel, amid accusations that the United Nations is favoring Iran in this conflict. Meanwhile, Russia has called for restraint from all parties involved, as concerns grow over the escalating violence.

Israel’s missile defense systems in action

As the conflict intensifies, Israel's missile defense systems have been crucial in intercepting threats. Most of the 180 missiles fired by Iran were destroyed by Israel’s protective shields, including the Iron Dome, which neutralizes short-range rockets; David's Sling, designed to intercept larger rockets and cruise missiles; and the Arrow System, which targets long-range ballistic missiles.