Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah escalated dramatically on Sunday as the Lebanon-based group fired a heavy barrage of rockets at Israel, reportedly striking near Tel Aviv. This came in response to a deadly Israeli airstrike in Beirut the previous day, which killed at least 29 people.
Israeli authorities reported multiple impact sites in the Tel Aviv area, including Petah Tikvah, where several injuries and property damage occurred. Footage showed vehicles ablaze and an apartment damaged by rocket fire. According to the Israeli military, Hezbollah fired 170 rockets, with most intercepted by its defense systems.
In retaliation, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted airstrikes targeting Hezbollah facilities in southern Beirut. Security sources in Lebanon said the strikes leveled two apartment buildings, further exacerbating the humanitarian toll of the conflict.
The violence follows a Saturday strike by Israel on central Beirut, one of its deadliest yet, with Lebanon’s health ministry reporting 84 fatalities across the country that day. The cumulative death toll in Lebanon has now risen to 3,754 since hostilities escalated in October 2023.
Ceasefire Talks Hang in the Balance
Amid the violence, U.S.-led efforts to broker a ceasefire continue, with progress reported by mediator Amos Hochstein. The proposal hinges on the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which mandates Hezbollah’s withdrawal from border areas and the deployment of the Lebanese Army.
However, an Israeli airstrike on an army center near Tyre killed one soldier and injured 18, complicating diplomatic efforts. Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the attack, calling it a setback to ceasefire negotiations.
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell urged both sides to accept the U.S. proposal, announcing €200 million in EU support for the Lebanese Army to strengthen its presence in the south.
With escalating violence and over 1 million displaced in Lebanon, the international community is pushing for urgent de-escalation to avoid further regional destabilization.