Jerusalem
Israeli airstrikes have killed around 200 Hezbollah terrorists and destroyed 140 rocket launchers over the past week, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday. The strikes targeted Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, which posed an immediate threat to Israeli civilians and soldiers, especially in southern Lebanon. Notably, the IDF targeted and eliminated key Hezbollah operatives, including the head of battalion operations and the leader of anti-tank weapons in Hezbollah’s Radwan Force.
The strikes also hit the Dahieh district in Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold. The IDF reported that it had destroyed most of Hezbollah’s weapons storage and production facilities located beneath civilian buildings in the area. These sites, established over the past 20 years, were used to produce and store missiles and rockets intended for attacks on Israel.
The escalating conflict follows the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, after which Hezbollah began launching daily rocket and drone attacks on northern Israeli communities. These attacks have displaced over 68,000 residents of northern Israel. Hezbollah leaders have vowed to continue the attacks to prevent Israelis from returning home.
The violence has led to significant casualties, including at least 1,200 deaths from the Hamas attacks, as well as 252 hostages being taken, including both Israelis and foreigners. Some hostages have been declared dead, and additional captives, including two Israeli civilians, have been held since 2014 and 2015.
