The United Nations reported on Wednesday that over 90,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon due to five days of Israeli airstrikes, highlighting the escalating conflict between the two nations. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency, has documented “90,530 newly displaced persons” since Monday, according to a statement. The Associated Press, citing the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, stated that the total number of displaced in Lebanon since Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel nearly a year ago has reached 200,000.
This latest escalation follows a series of events that have intensified tensions between Israel and Lebanon. On Wednesday, Hezbollah launched dozens of projectiles into Israel, including a missile aimed at Tel Aviv – its deepest strike to date. While the Israeli military intercepted the missile, it marked a significant escalation in the conflict. This attack came in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon that have caused hundreds of casualties. Hezbollah claimed the missile was a Qader 1 ballistic missile targeting the headquarters of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency. The group blames the Mossad for a recent series of targeted killings of its top commanders, as well as an attack last week that involved explosives hidden in pagers and walkie-talkies, resulting in the deaths of dozens and injuries to thousands, including many Hezbollah members.
The Israeli military said that it was the first time a projectile fired from Lebanon had reached central Israel, a significant development in the conflict. Notably, Hezbollah previously claimed to have targeted an intelligence base near Tel Aviv in an aerial attack last month, but this claim remained unconfirmed. It is worth noting that in the early months of the war, the Palestinian Hamas militant group in Gaza also targeted Tel Aviv on multiple occasions.
Following Hezbollah’s latest attack, air-raid sirens blared in Tel Aviv and central Israel, though there were no reports of casualties or damage. In response, Israel retaliated by targeting the missile launch site in southern Lebanon.
The ongoing conflict is rapidly escalating, raising concerns of a full-scale war between Israel and Lebanon. This escalation comes amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, where recent Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 560 people. As a result of the intensified fighting, thousands of Lebanese families have fled their homes, seeking refuge in Beirut and Sidon, crowding schools and public spaces. Others have attempted to leave the country, leading to traffic jams at the Syrian border.
In response to the escalating tensions, the Israeli military announced it would activate reserve troops, signaling a shift toward tougher action against Hezbollah. Two brigades have been called up for northern missions, highlighting Israel’s heightened readiness to counter Hezbollah’s attacks. This announcement came after Hezbollah launched dozens of rockets into northern Israel, injuring two people in Kibbutz Saar. In retaliation, Israel launched strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon, killing at least three and wounding nine near Byblos.
While the Israeli military has ruled out immediate ground invasions, the overall escalation in the past 11 months is undeniable. Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel, often seen as an act of solidarity with Hamas, have significantly increased tensions in the region. In light of the ongoing conflict, the UN Security Council has called for an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Lebanon.
The recent rocket fire has severely disrupted life for over a million people in northern Israel, forcing the closure of schools and businesses. Israel has moved thousands of troops to the northern border, citing Hezbollah’s stockpile of 150,000 rockets capable of striking anywhere in the country. This buildup of troops underscores the seriousness of the situation and the potential for further escalation.
The conflict in Lebanon remains a pressing concern for the international community, with fears of a wider war increasing. The humanitarian crisis caused by the displacement of thousands of civilians adds another layer of urgency to the situation, highlighting the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
