Israeli Strikes Cause Massive Explosion in Southern Lebanon
Beirut, Feb 20 (IANS) – Lebanese military sources have reported that Israeli warplanes hit multiple targets in the town of Ghazieh, located around 45 km south of Beirut, causing a massive explosion and several casualties. Civil defence and Red Cross teams have been deployed to carry out rescue operations, and casualties have been transferred to a hospital in the nearby city of Sidon. The Lebanese army has isolated the area, blocking all roads leading to it.
Israel’s military has announced that the airstrikes targeted Hezbollah’s weapons storage facilities near the city of Sidon. This comes after an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) launched by Hezbollah toward northern Israel prompted the Israeli airstrikes. The military stated that the incident is under review, and it is believed that the UAV was launched from Lebanon by Hezbollah.
Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border have been escalating since October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah fired rockets toward Israel in support of a Hamas attack. This latest round of airstrikes is likely to further heighten tensions in the region.
The situation is still developing, and both Israeli and Lebanese authorities are closely monitoring the aftermath of the airstrikes. The implications of this latest escalation for the already strained relations between Israel and Hezbollah are a matter of serious concern for regional stability.
The impact of the airstrikes and the resulting explosion on the local population and infrastructure is also being assessed, and efforts to provide aid and support to those affected are underway. The international community will be closely watching the developments in the aftermath of this incident, as it could have broader implications for the region.
The situation is still fluid, and further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
–IANS
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
