Hezbollah targets Israeli troops on Lebanon border, Middle East 'tense' awaiting Tel Aviv's response

Hezbollah on October 9 used artillery shells and rockets to target Israeli soldiers near the village of Labbouneh on the Lebanese border. The incident took place a day after Israel announced the killing of two Hezbollah appointees to replace the slain new leader - Hassan Nasrallah.

Israeli attacks on the southern suburbs of Beirut (Lebanon) on October 9 caused serious damage to many infrastructures. (Source: Reuters)

Escalating tensions in Lebanon and the year-long Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza have raised concerns about a full-blown conflict in the Middle East, drawing in both Iran and the United States - Tel Aviv's ally.

Three Israeli soldiers were seriously wounded in fighting in southern Lebanon, the Israeli military said. Sirens sounded in northern Israel on Tuesday morning as Hezbollah fired nearly 200 rockets into neighboring Lebanon.

The move comes after Tel Aviv continued to attack Beirut's southern suburbs, which were once considered Hezbollah strongholds.

In recent weeks, the conflict in Lebanon has escalated dramatically as Israel carried out a series of assassinations of top Hezbollah leaders and launched several ground operations into southern Lebanon.

Tel Aviv refuses to disclose the number of Israeli troops stationed in Lebanon, but confirms that there are four divisions, comprising thousands of soldiers, operating on the border.

Earlier, on October 3, the Israeli army attacked the southern suburbs of Beirut overnight, killing senior official Suhail Hussein Husseini in charge of Hezbollah's budget and logistics.

However, Hezbollah Deputy Leader Naim Qassem said on October 8 that the force remained steadfast despite "painful blows" from increasing attacks from Israel, and supported Lebanon's efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office declined to comment on the statement.

According to US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, Hezbollah had to “change its tone and want a ceasefire” because the Iran-backed armed group was “weakened and gradually defeated” on the battlefield.

In addition, the entire Middle East is "straining" to wait for Israel's response after the country suffered a missile attack on October 1 from Iran.

Tehran also warned Gulf countries not to lend Israel airspace to fight against Iran or they would be attacked in retaliation.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/hezbollah-nham-vao-quan-doi-israel-o-bien-gioi-lebanon-trung-dong-cang-minh-cho-phan-ung-cua-tel-aviv-289425.html