Bombings spur across Lebanon, heightened tensions rise further
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Tensions rise further as bombings spur across Lebanon this week.
On Sept. 18, 2024, after two waves of explosions hit Lebanon and parts of Syria, the death toll has risen to 37, along with thousands of injured; a number which has morbidly risen since the time of writing. One facet of these explosions—now being reported as attacks towards the Hezbollah political party and paramilitary group—is causing many to wonder if this could lead to an even more deadly and violent clash in the Middle East.
The attacks occurred first on Sept. 17, at 3:30 p.m., when pagers used by Hezbollah operatives exploded simultaneously. Heavy damage was inflicted in areas with a larger Hezbollah presence, mainly in Lebanon’s capital of Beirut, Southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley. This first attack led to 12 civilian deaths and hospitals being put on high alert as numerous injured overflooded medical centers.
The second attack occurred the next day, on Sept. 18, at 5:00 p.m. In this instance, handheld radios were detonated simultaneously again, leading to 25 more deaths, largely within the same areas from the previous attack. After this attack, however, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant gave a comment on the incidents indirectly, stating, “We are at the beginning of a new era in this war and we need to adapt ourselves.” News also revealed that Israel had planned a mission within Lebanon but gave no details when speaking to U.S. officials on Sept. 17, before the attacks began.
This involvement in the operation scales back even further in the past, with Israel creating a fake pager-making company years before the attacks even began. After this, they made and shipped rigged pagers with explosives to Hezbollah forces, reporting to have started in the summer of 2022. Pagers were used because Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah declared against using them, as their cell phones could be used to give away fighter's locations and sensitive information.
This news of Israel adapting itself involves sending some of its forces from the Gaza Strip to northern parts of Israel and the Lebanon border. While both parties have not declared war, this resource deployment is a part of one of Israel’s new war goals with Hamas. This return of Northern Israeli citizens back to their homes after cross-border fighting caused the civilians to evacuate, alongside pushing back Hezbollah from the Israeli border.
Israel has also declared that even if a ceasefire is achieved in Gaza, they will continue to push Hezbollah forces back until the Israel-Lebanon border is secured.
After these incidents, Hezbollah leader Nasrallah declared on Sept. 19 that “It is an act of war against the people of Lebanon, Lebanon’s sovereignty.” Hezbollah forces later retaliated, attacking northern Israel and killing two Israeli defense force soldiers in the process.
Before the attacks, Hezbollah and Israel were already in conflict with one another, stemming from the 1980s following Israel's previous invasion of Lebanon. The conflict has just grown to be even more deadly since the Israel-Hammas war began. With both Hamas and Hezbollah being backed by Iran, their partnership seems to continue to grow and rely on one another as fighting continues.
With the recent attacks and casualties, as well as the ramping of forces and decided action towards both countries, it seems that a chance for peace might be farther along or no longer exist in the future. One can only hope that peacekeeping and aid forces ensure that civilians on both sides face as little to no hardship and that a resolution as peaceful as possible occurs soon.
Stay informed and in the loop on this rapidly developing conflict, which has developed drastically and for the worse since this article was written on Sept. 22, 2024.