Israel resumes widespread bombing of Lebanon, escalating existing regional conflict

According to AFP, the Israeli military issued a statement saying it was attacking more Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on the evening of September 21, targeting thousands of rocket launchers and other locations; Hezbollah fired 90 rockets at Israel.

Women walk through the rubble of an airstrike. (Source: The New York Times)

The series of attacks on the night of September 21 followed a week of violence that included exploding wireless devices and Israeli airstrikes that raised fears of a rapidly escalating regional conflict, The New York Times reported.

Lebanon's state news agency reported widespread bombing in the south of the country, saying there had been more than 50 air strikes in just 40 minutes. Earlier, the Israeli military said it had struck 180 targets in southern Lebanon in an hour, and military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters that Israeli warplanes were carrying out "extensive" strikes in the area.

The Israeli bombings, which were much heavier than last year's fighting, came as the Israeli military ordered new restrictions on public gatherings across northern Israel, mainly affecting areas north of the coastal city of Haifa.

Meanwhile, Lebanese authorities continued to search through the rubble after an Israeli strike targeted senior Hezbollah commanders on September 20 and flattened two buildings in a Beirut suburb.

The death toll has risen to at least 37, including three children, Lebanon's health ministry said. At least 68 others were injured, the ministry said.

Hezbollah has identified those killed in the attack, including the leader of its elite Radwan Force, Ahmed Wahbi.

The Israeli military said it had "eliminated senior commanders of the Radwan Force", accusing the group of planning to infiltrate Israel like the Hamas-led attack on 7 October.

Hezbollah confirmed on September 20 the death of its founder, Ibrahim Aqeel, who oversaw operations against Israel. He was wanted by the United States for his role in the 1983 bombings in Beirut that killed more than 350 people at the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Marine barracks.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/israel-lai-nem-bom-tren-dien-rong-o-lebanon-leo-thang-xung-dot-khu-vuc-dang-hien-huu-287216.html