Israel PM Netanyahu ( Photo from X)
By Web Desk ( Source ANI on X)
Tel Aviv: After Israel’s incursion into southern Lebanon, clashes with Hezbollah militants resulted in the deaths of eight soldiers. Tensions in the region escalated following Israel’s pledge to retaliate against Iran’s ballistic missile attacks.
While the Israeli military has not provided details on how their soldiers were killed, it had previously indicated that fighting occurred with Hezbollah at “close range.” The clashes took place on the second day of Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon.
This morning, the Israeli military released footage of its 36th Division entering Lebanon. Currently, two Israeli divisions are active in southern Lebanon, aiming to destroy Hezbollah’s infrastructure in the area.
Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran, stated that its fighters engaged Israeli forces in at least one Lebanese town, Maroun al-Ras.
Ahead of the Jewish New Year, which begins at sunset, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a brief video message expressing condolences to the families of the Israeli soldiers killed in Lebanon.
“We are in the midst of a fierce battle against the evil apparatus of Iran that seeks to destroy us,” he said. “This will not happen.” He also vowed that Israel would ensure the return of displaced residents to their homes as it fought Hezbollah to the north.
In an emergency session of the Security Council, UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned Iran’s attacks against Israel. “As I lamented Iran’s attacks in April – as should have been made clear in yesterday’s lament – I strongly condemn the large missile attack Iran launched against Israel yesterday,” he stated. “These attacks do nothing to advance the Palestinian cause or alleviate their suffering.”
The New York Times reported that Iran announced a public memorial service for Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by Israel last Friday, to be held in central Tehran on Friday. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is preparing to deliver a speech and lead prayers addressing Nasrallah’s assassination, Iran’s retaliatory attacks against Israel, and broader regional conflicts.
Meanwhile, American President Biden joined a call with the G7 to discuss Iran’s unacceptable attack against Israel and to coordinate a response to this attack, including new sanctions. President Biden and the G7 unequivocally condemned Iran’s attack against Israel. President Biden expressed the United States’ full solidarity and support for Israel and its people and reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security.
