Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah escalated last week when thousands of pagers and other communications devices used by Hezbollah in Lebanon simultaneously exploded, killing at least 37 people and injuring about 3,000, including children. Israeli aircraft then bombed the Lebanese capital Beirut, killing Ibrahim Aqil, a senior Hezbollah commander.
"We admit that we are in pain. We are human beings. But when we are in pain, you will also be in pain," Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Kassem said at Aqil's funeral on September 22, declaring an "endless battle of reckoning" with Israel.
Late on September 22, Hezbollah launched around 100 rockets into Israel, targeting the northern city of Haifa, RT reported. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded with a series of airstrikes in southern Lebanon on September 23. Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said the IDF airstrikes killed at least 274 people, including 21 children and 39 women.
Hezbollah responded by launching 35 rockets at several Israeli bases. The IDF said the rockets were aimed at Mount Carmel and the Galilee.
"I promised that we would change the balance of security, the balance of power in the north - that's exactly what we are doing," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on September 22 when announcing the bombing campaign against Hezbollah.
Iranian Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani condemned Israel's attacks on Lebanon as "insane" and warned of "dangerous consequences".
"This needs to stop," UN Human Rights Office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told AFP. "Attacks on communications equipment, pagers, followed by rocket attacks and rocket fire on both sides... mark a real escalation."
Ms Shamdasani added that UN warnings of a “regional spillover” of the conflict in Gaza appeared to have come true, with “both the actions and rhetoric” of Israel and Hezbollah fuelling the escalation.
Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging rockets and airstrikes since October, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee across the border. The low-intensity conflict has frustrated Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's efforts to "eliminate" Hamas in Gaza, which came after Hamas raids on October 7, 2023 that killed some 1,200 Israelis. More than 41,000 Palestinians in the enclave have also been killed in Israeli military operations since then.
