Hezbollah

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on November 27, 2024, following an agreement brokered by the U.S. and France. U.S. President Joe Biden announced the deal, emphasizing that it aims for a permanent cessation of hostilities. The ceasefire includes a 60-day drawdown period during which Israel will gradually withdraw its forces, and Lebanon’s army will deploy in the south to take control of the region, ensuring Hezbollah does not rebuild its infrastructure along the border. Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib confirmed that 5,000 Lebanese troops will be stationed in southern Lebanon during this time. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported the ceasefire, stressing that Israel would respond decisively to any violations by Hezbollah, including strikes if the group attempts to rearm or rebuild its fortifications. The agreement also allows Israel to focus on the threat posed by Iran, replenish its depleted arms supplies, and give its military a rest. Despite the ceasefire in Lebanon, there was no indication it would immediately lead to a truce with Hamas in Gaza. The conflict, which has killed thousands since its eruption following a Hamas attack last year, continues to fuel tensions in the region. The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire is seen as a step towards stabilizing the border and isolating Hezbollah.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called for death sentences, rather than arrest warrants, for Israeli leaders following the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ex-Defence Chief Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri. The ICC accuses Netanyahu and Gallant of war crimes, including murder, persecution, and using starvation as a weapon in Gaza. Israel rejected the court's jurisdiction and denied committing war crimes. Khamenei, who supports Hamas and Hezbollah, further escalated tensions by backing their fight against Israel. Gaza residents welcomed the ICC decision, hoping it would lead to justice for war crimes.

On November 25, a rocket attack struck Nahariya in northern Israel, displacing residents and causing damage. Ofir Ben David, a displaced resident from Shomra, described the constant fear of missiles, recalling seeing fires in a nearby building and a burning car during the attack. The Israeli military intercepted ten projectiles launched from Lebanon, where Hezbollah is believed to be responsible for the rocket fire. Two people were injured by shrapnel, including an elderly woman in serious condition. Israel’s military offensive is focused on enabling displaced citizens, who evacuated their homes due to Hezbollah’s rocket fire, to return to their properties. Hezbollah’s actions escalated after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel, triggering broader conflict. The attack on Nahariya is part of the ongoing border tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, fueled by the larger Gaza war and its regional consequences.

Israel continued its airstrikes on Hezbollah-controlled areas in southern Beirut, with a focus on targeting Hezbollah facilities embedded in civilian buildings. The strikes, which have intensified over the past two weeks, coincide with ongoing U.S.-led efforts to broker a ceasefire. On Sunday evening, Israeli airstrikes demolished two apartment blocks in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a region already heavily bombarded in previous weeks. Israel's offensive against Hezbollah began in September following heightened hostilities linked to the Gaza conflict. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported a rise in casualties, with 29 people confirmed dead after Saturday’s airstrikes. The total death toll from all Israeli strikes since October 2023 has now reached 3,754. Israel's military did not comment on the specifics of Saturday's airstrike in central Beirut but confirmed that its strikes are targeting Hezbollah command centers. This escalation is part of broader Israeli efforts to combat Iran-backed Hezbollah forces operating in southern Lebanon and beyond.

The video released by the Israeli army showed what it purportedly found inside Hezbollah's underground compound, including weaponry, ammunition, food and communication devices.

Israel has launched direct airstrikes against Iran in a high-stakes retaliatory attack that brings the Middle East closer to a regional war that could draw in the US. The Israeli military said it had completed its air attack on Saturday morning, hitting missile manufacturing sites and aerial defences in several areas inside Iran. Israel’s public broadcaster said three waves of strikes had been completed. Iranian air defences said Israel attacked military targets in the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam and that “limited damage” was caused to some locations.

Israel and Hezbollah exchanged fire along the Israel-Lebanon border as a US envoy prepared to meet Lebanese officials in Beirut to discuss ceasefire conditions between the two sides. Explosions lit up the sky in northern Israel as its air defence systems intercepted a wave of Hezbollah rockets fired from Lebanon, with the Israeli army reporting 25 launches. Israel retaliated with multiple strikes in southern Lebanon, visible from northern Israel. Overnight, Israel targeted sites in Beirut, southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley, claiming they were linked to Hezbollah’s financial operations. No casualties were reported. US envoy Amos Hochstein is scheduled to meet Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Monday. Israel overnight attacked sites in Beirut, southern Lebanon and the Bekaa valley that it said are used by Hezbollah to finance its operations.

Large explosions and a fire were reported near Beirut's international airport on the night of 20 October, filling the area with thick smoke. Planes had landed shortly before the blasts, as observed from nearby Baabda, amid escalating tensions between the Israeli army and Hezbollah. Following Israel's warnings of impending attacks on sites associated with Hezbollah's financial operations, hundreds of residents fled their homes late on Sunday. A flight from Dubai landed at Beirut's International Airport in the early hours of Monday, approximately 30 to 40 minutes after the explosions occurred, with smoke still visible during its descent. There was no immediate information on the cause of the explosions or any potential casualties. Witnesses reported that panicked crowds clogged the streets, causing traffic jams as people sought refuge in neighbourhoods they believed to be safer. The situation highlights the growing instability in the region.

The Israeli army released a video claiming to show a strike on Hezbollah's headquarters in Beirut, but Reuters could not verify its authenticity. The airstrikes reportedly killed three Hezbollah commanders: Salameh, a senior figure; Awache, a communications expert; and Hussein, who developed strategic weapons. On October 20, Lebanese citizens were alerted to fresh strikes in Beirut, targeting Hezbollah's facilities. The ongoing conflict since the Israel-Hamas war has displaced many in Lebanon, with the Lebanese health ministry reporting 2,400 deaths, primarily in the last month. Meanwhile, Hezbollah rockets were intercepted in northern Israel during this escalating conflict.

In a bold address to Lebanon, Israeli PM Netanyahu announced the elimination of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah’s successor and urged the Lebanese people to reclaim their country from Hezbollah. He declared that the Iran-backed group is now weaker than it has been in years.

In a significant turn of events, Hassan Nasrallah, the long-time leader of Hezbollah, has been confirmed killed in targeted Israeli airstrikes on the group's central headquarters in Beirut. The strikes, authorized by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aimed at high-ranking Hezbollah commanders actively planning attacks against Israel. This video explores the implications of Nasrallah's death, the impact on Hezbollah, and the ongoing conflict in the region. Join us for an in-depth analysis of this escalating situation and what it means for the future of Lebanon and Israel.

On Monday, Israel presented evidence alleging that Hezbollah munitions were stored in residential homes, attempting to justify extensive airstrikes across Lebanon that resulted in hundreds of deaths and over 1,200 injuries. Among the weapons cited were cruise missiles, large warhead rockets, and drones, with images revealing a long-range rocket in a family’s attic. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant claimed Israel was dismantling Hezbollah's military capabilities built over 20 years. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted strikes on around 1,600 targets, warning civilians to evacuate areas with hidden weapons, leading to mass panic and claims of Hezbollah using civilian homes as shields.

The recent surge in violence between Israel and Hezbollah has led to some of the most intense airstrikes in nearly 11 months. The Israeli military has launched extensive bombardments in southern Lebanon, responding to intelligence reports suggesting that Hezbollah was planning imminent attacks on Israeli communities. This preemptive military action underscores Israel's commitment to neutralizing perceived threats. The airstrikes have resulted in significant casualties, with at least 37 people reported dead in a strike on a suburb of Beirut. The toll highlights the severe human cost of the ongoing conflict, particularly for civilians caught in the crossfire. Watch here for more details

Tensions escalate as a Hezbollah commander is killed in an IDF strike, while three people sustain minor injuries in a drone attack on northern Israel. The Israeli military and Hezbollah exchanged fire after the terror group launched two explosive-laden drones near Beit Hillel. Hezbollah claimed to have targeted an Iron Dome battery, echoing similar claims in recent months, which the IDF dismisses as empty boasts. Meanwhile, questions arise as to why sirens did not sound to warn forces. Stay updated on the unfolding situation as the IDF investigates this latest incident.