Israel launched a wave of airstrikes across southern Lebanonearly Sunday in what it said was a preemptive strike to avert a largeHezbollah attack. The militant group responded that it had firedhundreds of rockets and drones to avenge the killing of one of its topcommanders last month.
By Josef Federman and Abby Sewell, Associated PressAn Israeli Apache helicopter flies over Israel, Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024.
By mid-morning, the heavy exchange of fire had ended, with both sides saying they had only aimed at military targets. At least three fighters were killed in the strikes on Lebanon, while there were no reports of casualties in Israel. Hezbollah said the strikes would allow it to launch more attacks deeper into Israel, but a later statement said “military operations for today have been completed.” It dismissed Israel’s claim to have thwarted a stronger attack. Neither Israel nor Hezbollah provided evidence for their claims.After an emergency government meeting, Lebanon’s caretaker Economy Minister Amin Salam said officials were “feeling a bit more optimistic” about a de-escalation.
Danny Citrinowicz, an expert at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, said Hezbollah might be trying to “balance the equation without escalating into war.” Each side is now hoping their narrative will be sufficient for them to declare victory and avoid a wider confrontation, he said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Israel-Hamas war latest: Hezbollah says it launched a drone attack on northern IsraelThe Lebanese militant group Hezbollah said it launched a drone attack early Monday on northern Israel that the Israeli military said wounded two Israeli
Read more »
Israel-Hamas war latest: Hezbollah says it launched a drone attack on northern IsraelThe Lebanese militant group Hezbollah says it launched a drone attack on northern Israel that the Israeli military said wounded two Israeli troops and set off a fire.
Read more »
Israel-Hamas war latest: Hezbollah says it launched a drone attack on northern IsraelThe Lebanese militant group Hezbollah says it launched a drone attack on northern Israel that the Israeli military said wounded two Israeli troops and set off a fire.
Read more »
Israel-Hamas war latest: Hezbollah says it launched a drone attack on northern IsraelThe Lebanese militant group Hezbollah says it launched a drone attack on northern Israel that the Israeli military said wounded two Israeli troops and set off a fire.
Read more »
Israel and Hezbollah trade heavy fire before pulling back, jolting a region braced for warIsrael launched a wave of airstrikes across southern Lebanon early Sunday in what it said was a preemptive strike to avert a large Hezbollah attack.
Read more »
Israel and Hezbollah trade heavy fire before pulling backThe heavy exchange of fire does not appear to have ignited a long-feared war, but the situation remains tense.
Read more »