Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah reached new heights on Sunday as heavy rocket fire from Lebanon targeted Tel Aviv, leaving destruction in its wake. The strikes followed one of the deadliest Israeli air raids in Beirut in recent history, which killed at least 29 people, and came amid stalled efforts for a ceasefire.
Tit-for-Tat Escalation
In a dramatic escalation, Hezbollah launched over 250 rockets into Israel, striking areas near Tel Aviv and as far north as Nahariya. Israeli officials reported multiple impact sites in Petah Tikva, a suburb east of Tel Aviv, where rockets damaged homes and injured several civilians.
Israeli authorities said their air defense systems intercepted many of the rockets, but others penetrated, with television footage showing burning buildings and residents scrambling for cover. One injury was classified as serious, while three others were treated for shrapnel wounds.
Hezbollah, which had warned it would retaliate for any strikes on Beirut, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it had launched precision-guided missiles at two military sites near Tel Aviv.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded with a series of airstrikes on Hezbollah-controlled areas in southern Beirut, targeting 12 command centers, according to an IDF statement. The strikes leveled two apartment blocks in the Dahiyeh suburb, a Hezbollah stronghold, and left a trail of devastation.
Death Toll Rises in Lebanon
The Lebanese health ministry said the death toll from Saturday’s airstrikes on central Beirut had risen to 29, with dozens more injured. The ministry added that 84 people were killed across Lebanon in a single day, pushing the total death toll in the country to 3,754 since October 2023.
Saturday’s airstrikes were among the most powerful seen in Beirut in decades, with entire residential blocks reduced to rubble. The attacks have added to Lebanon’s mounting humanitarian crisis, displacing more than one million people, according to local authorities.
In southern Lebanon, an Israeli strike on a Lebanese army facility near Tyre killed one soldier and injured 18 others. Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the attack, calling it a “bloody message” that undermines efforts for peace.
“This assault signals Israel’s rejection of international calls for a ceasefire and efforts to reinforce the army’s role in the south,” Mikati said.
Diplomatic Push for Ceasefire
As the violence escalates, diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire are gaining momentum. U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein has been shuttling between Beirut and Jerusalem, promoting a ceasefire proposal under United Nations Resolution 1701. The resolution, which ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, calls for a buffer zone along the border and the deployment of the Lebanese army in the area.
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, speaking in Beirut on Sunday, said the U.S. proposal was awaiting Israel’s approval.
“We must continue to pressure all sides to accept this ceasefire,” Borrell said, adding that the EU is ready to provide €200 million in support for the Lebanese army to strengthen its presence in the south.
While some Israeli officials have hinted at progress towards an agreement, others remain skeptical, with unresolved issues delaying any final decision. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet on Sunday to discuss the proposal, but no conclusive statement was issued.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The ongoing conflict has left both Lebanon and Israel grappling with mounting civilian casualties. In Israel, the relentless rocket fire has forced thousands to seek shelter, while in Lebanon, residents face the dual burden of displacement and destruction.
Lebanon’s fragile infrastructure, already weakened by years of economic crisis, is struggling to cope with the influx of displaced people and the widespread damage from Israeli airstrikes.
International aid agencies have called for an immediate halt to hostilities to address the growing humanitarian needs. However, with violence showing no signs of abating, the path to peace appears fraught with challenges.
Uncertain Future
As both sides escalate their attacks, the possibility of a broader regional conflict looms. Hezbollah’s retaliation and Israel’s continued offensive underscore the fragile state of ceasefire talks. For now, the people of Beirut and Tel Aviv remain caught in the crossfire of a conflict that shows no clear path to resolution.
