The ongoing tensions between Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group and Israeli forces have reached a critical point, raising concerns that the frequent clashes could potentially escalate into a full-scale war.
An explosion occurred in the northern Israeli town of Safed, resulting in the unfortunate loss of a young soldier's life and causing injuries to several individuals.
Israel carried out airstrikes in southern Lebanon resulting in the deaths of at least 10 individuals. Among the casualties were a Syrian woman, her two children, four members of another family, and three Hezbollah fighters. Nine individuals sustained injuries in the incident.
The cross-border violence was sparked by the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, which was initiated by the Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel by Hamas, a Hezbollah ally.
Wednesday's strike was not claimed by Hezbollah. However, it remains committed to carrying out its attacks until a cease-fire is achieved in Gaza. Here's some details on the weaponry of both parties:
Per AP News, Hezbollah is widely recognized as a prominent paramilitary force in the Arab world, known for its strong internal organization and strong arsenal. Supported by Iran, the fighters have acquired valuable experience throughout Syria's lengthy conflict, playing a significant role in shifting the balance of power in favor of government forces.
Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, has made claims about the group's large number of fighters. However, some estimates suggest that the actual troop strength may be lower than what he has stated. Israel is urging Hezbollah to remove its elite Radwan Force from the border, allowing the thousands of displaced Israelis from northern towns and villages to safely return to their homes.
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank, Hezbollah possesses a wide range of small, portable, and unguided surface-to-surface artillery rockets. According to estimates from the US and Israel, there are approximately 150,000 missiles and rockets held by militant groups in Lebanon, including Hezbollah. Hezbollah has also been developing precision-guided missiles.
In the past, Hezbollah has successfully deployed drones into Israeli territory and, in 2006, managed to strike an Israeli warship using a surface-to-sea missile. The forces possess a wide range of weapons including assault rifles, heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, roadside bombs, and other armaments.
Throughout the ongoing conflict, Hezbollah has been consistently deploying portable anti-tank Kornet missiles of Russian origin. On occasion, it has also introduced Burkan rockets capable of carrying a warhead weighing anywhere from 300 kilograms (660 pounds) to 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds), as stated by Nasrallah.
Over the past few weeks, Hezbollah has unveiled a range of new weaponry, including a surface-to-surface missile capable of reaching distances of 10 kilometers (6 miles) and carrying a warhead weighing 50 kilograms. The United States has been providing significant financial support to Israel's military for years, including an annual funding of $3.3 billion and an additional $500 million specifically for missile defense technology.
Meanwhile, Israel possesses a formidable military arsenal, surpassing many other nations in the wider Middle East. The air force boasts a formidable arsenal, featuring cutting-edge fighter jets, state-of-the-art missile defense batteries, and a range of advanced missile-defense systems developed in collaboration with the United States.
Israel possesses a formidable arsenal of armored personnel carriers, tanks, and a fleet of advanced drones and other cutting-edge technology, all of which can provide crucial support in street-to-street combat scenarios.
Israel currently has around 170,000 troops serving on active duty, with an additional 360,000 reservists called up for the war. This represents approximately three-fourths of its estimated capacity, as reported by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a British think tank. After five long months, a significant number of reservists have finally made their way back home.
Israel has been known to possess an undisclosed nuclear weapons program for a significant period of time.
According to analysts, it seems unlikely that Hezbollah or Israel are interested in engaging in a full-scale war. However, there is concern that a miscalculation from either party could lead to a significant escalation of the situation. Diplomats from various countries, including the US and France, have been sent to the border in an effort to reduce tensions.
Lebanon-Israel Conflict
Moreover, an expert has highlighted the volatile nature of the border zone between Lebanon and Israel, emphasizing the potential for conflict. Additionally, the expert has pointed out that Iran's actions could play a significant role in escalating tensions and potentially sparking a wider regional war in the Middle East.
According to military analyst Professor Michael Clarke, there is a potential for Hezbollah to initiate a conflict in northern Israel if they perceive it to be advantageous. However, currently, the Lebanese militia group does not see it as a favorable course of action.
Sources say there are indications that Hezbollah might consider escalating the situation if given the green light by Iran. This could potentially lead to a significant escalation of the conflict. Professor Clarke's analysis followed the IDF's recent airstrikes on Lebanon, which were the most extensive so far. These strikes were in response to deadly attacks in northern Israel.
Israeli military claimed that a female soldier was tragically killed and eight people were injured in a rocket attack in northern Israel. The incident occurred on Wednesday (February 14) when projectiles hit a military base in the town of Safed.
According to the Israeli army, Staff Sgt Omer Sarah Benjo was tragically killed in an attack from Lebanon.
Four individuals, including a Syrian woman and her two Lebanese children, lost their lives in the recent airstrikes conducted by Israel in southern Lebanon. According to Lebanese security officials and local media, there were at least nine people wounded.
Following the attack on southern Israel by Hamas gunmen on October 7, there has been ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and the IDF along the Israeli-Lebanese border. According to Israel, Hezbollah possesses a significant arsenal of approximately 150,000 rockets, with a substantial portion allegedly funded by Iran as a last resort.
The leader of Hezbollah's executive council has stated that Israel's recent strike will not go unanswered. However, it is unlikely that their response will lead to an escalation into full-scale war, as this would risk losing support for Hezbollah among the Lebanese population, as per Express UK.
