israel intensifies assault on hezbollah despite US concerns

Last Friday, the Israeli government ordered the military to halt airstrikes on Beirut. This decision was related to a conversation held on Wednesday between U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu, during which Biden called for a cessation of attacks on "densely populated areas," reports public broadcaster KAN. Netanyahu, like other members of the Israeli government, has previously denied reports of American pressure regarding this issue.

On Monday, during a visit to a military unit in Binyamin, which was attacked on Sunday by a Hezbollah drone, Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated his position. "We will continue to relentlessly attack Hezbollah in all parts of Lebanon, including Beirut," he stated. In Sunday's attack, four Israeli soldiers were killed, and dozens were injured.

Netanyahu also dismissed allegations that Israel intentionally targets UN peacekeeping positions (UNIFIL) in Lebanon. The Prime Minister once again called for the withdrawal of international forces from the region. In recent days, the Israeli military has repeatedly shelled and violated UNIFIL positions in southern Lebanon, prompting criticism from the UN and countries participating in the mission, including Poland, France, and Italy.

For over three weeks, Israel has been conducting intensive airstrikes on Lebanon, while for nearly two weeks, it has been carrying out ground operations in the south of the country. The government in Jerusalem asserts that the aim of these military actions is to eliminate the threat from Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran. The Shiite organization controls southern Lebanon and has regularly been shelling northern regions of Israel for more than a year, prompting decisive counterattacks from the Jewish state.

According to data from the Ministry of Health in Beirut, since the start of the exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel, over 2,300 people have been killed in Lebanon, and over 10,000 have been injured. Most of the fatalities have occurred in recent weeks. Due to Hezbollah's attacks on northern Israel over the past year, more than 50 people have died there.

According to the Israeli armed forces, military operations have killed hundreds of Hezbollah fighters, including the organization's leaders. The Israeli army also reports the destruction of a significant portion of the group's military capabilities. However, Lebanese media and authorities claim that most victims of Israeli airstrikes are civilians. The conflict has forced about 1.2 million of Lebanon's 5.5 million population to leave their homes.

Airstrikes on other areas of Lebanon also continued on Monday. In the town of Aito in the north of the country, at least 21 people were killed due to the Israeli operation. Media note that this region, mainly inhabited by Christians, had previously been overlooked by Israeli forces during attacks. In southern Lebanon, further clashes occurred between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters. Throughout the day, air raid warnings were announced in various areas of Israel, including Tel Aviv, due to shelling from Lebanon. Currently, there is no information about Israeli casualties.

The Israeli Ministry of Defence reported that Minister Yoav Galant spoke on Monday night with U.S. Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. The topic of their conversation was a "decisive response" to Hezbollah's actions, including Sunday's deadly shelling. The Israeli Air Force announced that it would "completely destroy" the Hezbollah unit responsible for the drone attacks, reports the Times of Israel portal.

Another country to join the war? Zelensky: We will respond sharply

Smoke covered half the continent. Scientists raise the alarm

Alarm in Taiwan. Strong statement from China