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Israel attacks Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon

Israel attacks Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon

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The Israeli military launched a major wave of air strikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon late Thursday evening, heightening fears of a serious escalation in the conflict along the border that has been simmering for months.

The attacks came after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah vowed revenge on Israel. The group accuses Israel of planning a two-day, brazen attack in Lebanon that blew up Hezbollah pagers and handheld radios, killing more than 30 people and seriously wounding thousands. Israel has not commented on the incident.

The Israel Defense Forces said the attack hit more than 100 Hezbollah rocket launch sites and an ammunition depot.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib warned that the “blatant attack on Lebanon's sovereignty and security” was a dangerous precedent that could be “the sign of a larger” impending war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Nasrallah said the attack crossed “all red lines” and was a “declaration of war.”

Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran and allied with Hamas, has been firing rockets into Israeli territory almost daily since October 7, when Hamas attacked Israel and Israel responded with a war in Gaza. About 60,000 Israelis from northern Israel have since fled to the south to escape Hezbollah attacks.

Israel has pledged to allow its residents to return safely to northern Israel. The Israel Defense Forces on Friday lifted temporary orders restricting freedom of movement and the number of large gatherings in communities in northern Israel and the Golan Heights.

Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said his country was “at the beginning of a new phase of the war.”

Hezbollah and Israel have been enemies for years and last fought a major war in 2006.

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