Hezbollah Strikes Tel Aviv Provoking A Major War

THE EARLY PHOENIX

Hezbollah – Israel War

August 25-27, 2004

August 25, 2024

1. Hezbollah Leaders Targeted as Israel Vows Continued Operations

Following recent Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, Tel Aviv has reiterated its commitment to targeting Hezbollah and eliminating its leadership. Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi stated that the military’s mission remains to neutralize Hezbollah’s capabilities and ensure the safety of northern Israel’s residents. This comes after Israel claimed to have thwarted a major Hezbollah attack on Sunday, targeting missile launch sites across southern Lebanon. Tensions have escalated since the assassinations of key figures in Hezbollah and Hamas, raising fears of broader regional conflict involving Iran and its allies.

2. Hezbollah’s Rocket Launches: Retaliation or Strategic Posturing?

Hezbollah’s promised retaliation for the elimination of Nasrallah’s top mastermind of terrorism, Fuad Shukr, commenced and ended with comical failure. This result was achieved only 15 minutes before Hezbollah was set to launch the bloodiest attacks on Tel Aviv. Around 5 a.m. on August 25, a hundred IAF jets launched 40 preemptive strikes, effectively destroying thousands of Hezbollah rocket launchers.

Hezbollah continued its efforts by launching between 320-340 Katyusha rockets at eleven Israeli bases and IDF posts. The Israeli military noted Hezbollah primarily targeted northern Israel but also had objectives in central Israel. The missiles were fired across all fronts in a staggered manner, with strikes divided—10 here, 15 there, 20 elsewhere. The IDF Spokesman said “We thwarted most of the attack that Hezbollah planned and intercepted most of the threats that were launched against the territory of the State of Israel.”

Tel Aviv holds significant importance in the Israeli mindset, with warnings expanded to cover both Tel Aviv and northern regions. The Israeli public, currently on high alert, is treating all Israeli cities cautiously. Nasrallah emphasized that only Katyusha rockets were used, not ballistic or long-range missiles. Israel’s defense and foreign ministers stated they are not seeking full-scale war but are prepared to respond to threats from Iran and its allies.

Reuters reported the strike was coordinated through intermediaries, indicating some knowledge of Israel’s actions. Nasrallah emphasized Hezbollah’s meticulously planned operations targeted military sites, avoiding civilian casualties to maintain a moral high ground. He stated the retaliation focused on military intelligence sites in Tel Aviv, specifically the Gilot Base. Highlighting financial leverage, Nasrallah noted each strike cost $8,000 to $10,000, downplaying IDF strikes on launchers. He emphasized the psychological impact, disrupting life across Israel, including Tel Aviv.

Nasrallah claimed Hezbollah’s rockets successfully hit Israeli military intelligence and air defense bases near Tel Aviv, dismissing Israel’s interception efforts as ineffective propaganda. He vowed to continue resisting Israeli aggression, defending Lebanon, and supporting Gaza, invoking Imam Hussein’s legacy to fight with advanced weaponry if necessary.

Hezbollah’s rocket strikes against Israel, whether as retaliation or strategic posturing, undeniably provoked a major war response. Despite the outcome, Hezbollah attempted to attack the Tel Aviv region. Regardless of how Israel learned of these attacks, the difference between life and death for many Israelis was just 15 minutes.

3. Hezbollah Targets Israeli Warship, Killing Soldier and Wounding Others

Hezbollah’s missile and drone attack on an Israeli warship off the coast of Nahariya resulted in the death of Israeli naval soldier David Moshe Ben Shitrit and injured several others. The Israeli army confirmed that the attack was part of a broader escalation in tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. Video footage captured the strike, which targeted the 914th Flotilla during operations in northern Israel. Reports also indicate that Hezbollah may be planning further attacks on intelligence centers in the Glilot area of Tel Aviv, including Mossad headquarters and Base 8200. Israeli jamming systems reportedly protected Tel Aviv from these potential strikes.

4. Israel Continues Bombing Multiple Cities in Southern Lebanon

Israeli UAV strikes continued, killing an operative from the Shiite Amal Movement in al-Khiam. Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on the outskirts of several towns in southern Lebanon on Monday evening, including Yahmor al-Shaqif, Arnoun, and areas west of Deir Seryan.

According to the official Lebanese National News Agency, the Israeli aircraft targeted the eastern outskirts of Yahmor al-Shaqif and Arnoun with air-to-ground missiles, followed by a similar strike five minutes later on the southern outskirts of Yahmor al-Shaqif.

Additional airstrikes hit the Alman area, west of Deir Seryan, as reported by Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV.

Earlier on Monday, Israeli artillery shelled the outskirts of Tair Harfa, Shemaa, and Naqoura, and Israeli drones targeted the town of Hanin in southern Lebanon. Ambulances rushed to the scene following strikes on Kfarkila, Taybeh, and other areas, indicating significant escalation in the region.

August 23, 2024

5. Eleven Hezbollah Members Killed in Escalating Israel-Hezbollah Conflict

Israel and Hezbollah continue exchanging heavy strikes, resulting in escalating casualties on both sides. Israeli strikes targeted Tayr Harfa, Ayta al-Jabal, and Aitaroun, killing six people. A significant drone strike in al-Hamadiyah near Tyre eliminated Saeed Diab, a key Hezbollah figure involved in the rocket and missile array. Meanwhile, Hezbollah launched an attack on Israel’s Aerial Control Unit in Meron and fired 20 projectiles at Safed. The IDF responded by shelling fuel depots in al-Hiyam. Hezbollah reported 11 operatives, including a boy scout, killed during this period. 432 dead for Hezbollah since the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault on Israel.

6. Tel Aviv Stocks Surge 2% Following Israel’s Preemptive Strike on Hezbollah

Tel Aviv’s main stock indices closed up by around two percent on Sunday, with the benchmark TA-35 index reaching a record high. The surge followed Israel’s announcement of a preemptive strike against Hezbollah, which reportedly prevented a potential rocket barrage on key Israeli targets. The TA-35 index ended the day up two percent at 2,091.6 points, having peaked at 2,091.91 points during the session, while the broader TA-125 index rose by 2.1 percent.

7. Hezbollah-Israel Escalation Forces Airlines to Cancel Beirut Flights

Amid escalating tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, several airlines have canceled flights to Beirut. Hezbollah launched rockets and drones at Israel on Sunday, prompting Israel to strike Lebanon with about 100 jets. Jordan’s Royal Jordanian suspended flights to Beirut “due to the current situation,” while Air France canceled flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut until at least Monday. Lufthansa extended its suspension of Beirut flights until September 30. Despite these disruptions, Lebanon’s civil aviation authority confirmed that the airport is operating normally, denying rumors of widespread flight cancellations.

8. US Military Presence Deterring Regional Aggression in Middle East

The United States has reinforced its military presence in the Middle East, including aircraft carriers and F-22 Raptors, to deter potential aggression from Hezbollah, Iran, and the Houthis. This deployment follows recent tensions after Israel’s assassinations of key figures from Hezbollah and Hamas, with Washington maintaining its strategic positioning as a countermeasure against further destabilization in the region.

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Israel-Hezbollah Conflict Intensifies: Airstrikes and Rocket Barrages Escalate