What's happened
On August 25, 2024, Israel initiated preemptive airstrikes in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, following intelligence of imminent large-scale attacks. The Israeli military warned civilians in southern Lebanon to evacuate as air raid sirens sounded across northern Israel, signaling potential missile and drone attacks from Hezbollah.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Japan Times reported that the Israeli military conducted preemptive strikes after detecting preparations for large-scale attacks by Hezbollah. The South China Morning Post emphasized the urgency of evacuating civilians in southern Lebanon, citing the Israeli military's warnings. Sky News noted that Hezbollah has begun its own drone attacks in response, indicating a significant escalation in hostilities. Each source highlights the precarious situation and the potential for further conflict in the region.
How we got here
Tensions have escalated in the region following the assassination of a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut last month, attributed to Israeli forces. Hezbollah has vowed retaliation, increasing fears of a broader conflict.
More on these topics
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Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon. Hezbollah's paramilitary wing is the Jihad Council, and its political wing is the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc party in the Lebanese parliament.
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Lebanon, officially known as the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lies west across the Mediterranean Sea.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.