Israel yesterday launched airstrikes into Lebanon, saying that it had thwarted a large-scale Hezbollah attack, while the Lebanese group announced its own cross-border raids to avenge a top commander’s killing.
The Israeli military said its fighter jets had destroyed “thousands” of Hezbollah rocket launchers “aimed toward northern Israel and some were aimed toward central Israel,” far from the border.
Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese armed group, countered that Israel was making “empty claims” of having thwarted a larger attack, and said its own operation yesterday “was completed and accomplished.”
Photo: AFP
The office of UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon urged “all to cease fire and refrain from further escalatory action.”
Hezbollah has traded near-daily cross-border fire with Israeli forces throughout the Gaza war, in a campaign Hezbollah says is in support of Palestinian ally Hamas.
However, fears of a wider regional conflagration soared after attacks late last month blamed on Israel killed Iran-aligned militant leaders, including Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, prompting vows of revenge.
Hezbollah, which fought a major war against Israel in 2006, said its militants launched “a large number of drones” and “more than 320” Katyusha rockets targeting “enemy positions” across the border.
The Lebanese movement said its attack was an “initial response” to Shukr’s killing, adding that it had “ended with total success,” although the extent of the damage on the Israeli side was not immediately clear.
The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported at least three dead in Israeli strikes in the country’s south. No casualties were immediately reported in Israel.
Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said his country’s strikes were meant “to remove the threats aimed at the citizens of Israel.”
Another military spokesman, Nadav Shoshani, said Hezbollah’s strikes were “part of a larger attack that was planned and we were able to thwart a big part of it this morning.”
Israeli authorities declared a 48-hour state of emergency, but later relaxed most of the restrictions.
By 7am, flights had resumed at Israel’s main international airport after a brief suspension, the Israeli Civil Aviation Authority said.
In Lebanon, Beirut airport did not close, but some airlines, including Royal Jordanian and Etihad Airways, canceled flights.
Air France said it was suspending flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut for at least 24 hours.
The US, Israel’s top arms provider, said its military was “postured” to support its ally.
The Israel-Hamas war, triggered by Hamas’s attack on Oct. 7 last year, had already drawn in Iran-backed groups such as Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The Houthis hailed the Hezbollah attack and declared that their own response for an Israeli strike on a key Yemeni port on July 20 was “definitely coming.”
WORK TOGETHER: The US cannot assume it does not need friends, Haley said, calling isolationism unhealthy and echoing Pence’s calls to stand with Taiwan Taiwan and the US should jointly call on the UN to hold a hearing on UN Resolution 2758 and curbing China’s aggression, former US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said yesterday in Taipei. The UN General Assembly passed Resolution 2758 on Oct. 25, 1971, which states that the People’s Republic of China is the legitimate government of China, which led to it replacing the Republic of China in the UN. However, the resolution “never mentioned ‘Taiwan,’” and the UN should not “allow the Chinese Communist Party to hijack a resolution and claim it’s about Taiwan,” Haley told a news conference. Taiwan should
MAJOR JAM: The two tests are being conducted at sea because the system is powerful enough to disrupt civilian devices, a source familiar with the matter said Taiwan is next month to test a jamming device that might cause large-scale electromagnetic interference in the sea off Yilan County and along its coastline, a government notice to limit navigation in the test area said. Two radio jamming tests encompassing the coastal region between Toucheng (頭城) and Suao (蘇澳) townships and the nearby sea would be conducted from Sept. 2 to 6 and from Sept. 9 to 13, a Ministry of Transportation and Communications notice said. A source with knowledge of the matter said the tests are trials for a new mobile electronic warfare system developed for the armed forces
VOICING CONCERNS: Jake Sullivan is to discuss China’s increased military and economic pressure against Taiwan when he visits Beijing tomorrow, a White House official said The US encourages “all countries to expand engagement with Taiwan,” a US Department of State official said on Saturday, after Palau’s president said that the Micronesian nation has faced economic coercion from China over its ties to Taiwan. “Taiwan is a reliable, like-minded and democratic partner, and its partnerships — official and unofficial — around the world provide significant and sustainable benefits to the citizens of those countries,” a State Department spokesperson said. “We encourage all countries to expand engagement with Taiwan.” Earlier this month, Washington condemned Beijing’s “predatory economic activities.” Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr on Aug. 14 said that “China has
PRESSURE: The Solomon Islands, acting under explicit instructions from Beijing, is aiming to prevent Taiwan from attending the next forum to be held in Honiara Australia has voiced support for Taiwan despite the Solomon Islands’ plan to undermine Taiwan’s status as an observer at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). The forum is one of the most important international organizations in the Pacific region, made up of 18 member states, including Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan’s Pacific allies, associate members and observers, along with “dialogue partners” such as the US, Japan, Canada and the EU. The 53rd edition of the forum opened in Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, yesterday. Taiwan has been taking part in the forum and related events as a “developmental partner” under the name Taiwan / Republic of