Israel and Hezbollah both suffer casualties in recent escalation
Israel and Hezbollah have both suffered casualties amid a recent escalation according to Arab News and agencies on May 9th.
The escalation began when the IDF launched over 20 strikes against Lebanese border villages in early May.
Israeli Army spokesman Avichay Adraee said, “Airstrikes were launched at Hezbollah-affiliated targets in six areas in southern Lebanon, and Israeli warplanes raided the party’s military buildings in Kfarkela, Aita Al-Shaab, Khiam and Maroun Al-Ras.”
Hezbollah forces responded with heavy shelling.
Israeli media reported, “Hezbollah is leading a major attack from southern Lebanon using missions and drones, and sirens are continuously sounding.”
Seven soldiers in a small village, Al-Malikiyah, were hit with several fatalities.
Hezbollah reportedly used “a missile salvo and suicide drone attacks.”
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A missile salvo is a series of coordinated individual attacks.
Meanwhile a house in Khiam housing Hezbollah members was attacked, killing three fighters and injuring one.
The IDF also reportedly used white phosphorous bombs – classified internationally as an illegal weapon – against the towns of Aitaroun and Blida.
Lebanese media reports said “Hezbollah has resorted to unconventional weaponry against Israeli sites in response to Israel’s scorched-earth tactics along the border, making the area inhospitable due to extensive phosphorous contamination.”
The damaging effects to crops, soil and water are reportedly going to take years to fix.
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US-supplied weapons have bolstered Israel’s weapon arsenal in the border war, including GBU bunker-busters which are particularly effective in obliterating reinforced structures.
This rise in escalation comes amid the materialisation of Israel’s assault into the Rafah crossing on May 6th, defeating hopes of a potential peace plan brokered by France.
Hezbollah has previously asserted it will only accept a ceasefire on the grounds of a ceasefire in Israel’s war in Gaza.
Arab News / Agencies
