October 10, 2024 — Israeli airstrikes killed two senior Hezbollah commanders in Lebanon on Thursday, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and regional militant groups. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) identified commanders as Ahmad Moustafa al-Haj Ali and Mohammad Ali Hamdan, both involved in recent missile attacks targeting north Israel.
The Israeli military confirmed that airstrikes were part of its response to a series of rocket launches from Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based militant organization with close ties to Iran. IDF reported that 40 missiles were fired from Lebanon into Israeli territory on Thursday, some of which were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system. Attacks come as tensions have intensified following a series of cross-border incidents since the start of October.
U.S. President Reaffirms Support for Israel
As the conflict continues, U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, reiterating America’s “ironclad” support for Israel. During the call, Biden emphasized U.S. commitment to Israel’s security, as the country faces attacks from Gaza, Lebanon, and, more recently, from Iran.
Leaders discussed Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as the recent escalation of tensions with Iran. Tehran fired approximately 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1, marking a significant escalation in yearlong conflict between Israel and Iranian-backed proxies. Netanyahu is reportedly weighing Israel’s options for retaliating against Iran.
According to White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden also expressed concern about the humanitarian toll of war and the urgent need to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas. ” Conversation was direct and productive,” Jean-Pierre said, emphasizing that leaders discussed the potential for diplomatic efforts even as Israel continues its military operations.
Israel Prepares for Retaliation Against Iran
Shortly after the call, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant issued a stark warning to Iran. In a social media post, Gallant stated that Israel’s response would be “deadly, precise, and surprising,” indicating that the country is preparing for further military action. “Those who try to harm the State of Israel will pay a price,” Gallant wrote.
This comes as Netanyahu considers Israel’s response to the Iranian missile barrage, while Biden has expressed opposition to a direct Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. However, discussions between Israel and the U.S. on how to deal with Iran’s growing aggression remain ongoing.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza and Lebanon
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in both Gaza and Lebanon continues to deteriorate. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the U.N. Palestinian relief agency UNRWA, warned that Gaza has become “unrecognizable,” describing the territory as a “graveyard for tens of thousands of people.” Israeli airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza have displaced the majority of its population, with civilians forced to flee multiple times in search of safety.
U.S. Ambassador to U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield also voiced concern over the humanitarian crisis, criticizing Israel’s evacuation orders in northern Gaza, which have left over 1.5 million displaced civilians in increasingly dire conditions. She called on Israel to take “urgent steps” to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians and to allow those displaced to return to their homes once the fighting subsides.
In Lebanon, the situation is equally bleak. U.N. has reported that one-quarter of the country’s population is now displaced due to Israeli military operations and Hezbollah’s rocket fire. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, U.N.’s top diplomat in Lebanon, called for an immediate cease-fire, stressing that humanitarian aid cannot be delivered while fighting continues.
International Diplomacy and Path Forward
While the conflict in Gaza and southern Lebanon rages on, calls for a diplomatic solution are growing louder. President Biden urged Netanyahu to engage in diplomacy to secure a cease-fire and facilitate the return of both Lebanese and Israeli civilians displaced by fighting. He also stressed the importance of minimizing civilian casualties, particularly in heavily populated areas such as Beirut.
U.N. Security Council remains involved, with diplomats urging the implementation of Resolution 1701, which calls for Hezbollah to withdraw north of Lebanon’s Litani River and for Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon. The resolution was originally passed in 2006 after the last major conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Despite international pressure, fighting on both fronts shows no sign of slowing. Since Hezbollah began launching rockets at Israel following Hamas’ October 7 attack, tens of thousands of people have been displaced, and casualties have continued to rise. Over 1,200 Israelis were killed in the initial Hamas attack, while Gaza’s Health Ministry reports more than 42,000 Palestinians have died since the beginning of Israel’s military response. The exact number of militants versus civilian casualties remains unclear, though the ministry states that many of victims are women and children.
Conclusion
conflict between Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran is rapidly escalating, drawing in regional and global powers. As military operations intensify on multiple fronts, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Lebanon deepens, and diplomatic efforts face significant hurdles. the international community is now anxiously watching to see where diplomatic channels can prevent further bloodshed, or if conflict will spiral into an even more devastating regional war.
