The Israeli military confirmed that a Hezbollah drone attack on an army base in central Israel resulted in the deaths of four soldiers and the severe injury of seven others. This attack, which took place near Binyamina city, is considered the deadliest strike by Hezbollah since Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon began nearly two weeks ago.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attack, citing it as retaliation for Israeli strikes on Beirut that caused the death of 22 people. The militant group stated that they specifically targeted Israel’s elite Golani brigade and utilized numerous missiles to overwhelm Israeli air defense systems during the drone assault.
The attack resulted in 61 people being wounded, which is a significant number considering Israel’s advanced air-defense capabilities. The ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has escalated, with both sides engaging in daily exchanges of fire since the start of the war in Gaza.
In response to the escalating violence, the United States announced that it would be sending a new air-defense system to Israel to enhance protection against missile attacks. Additionally, American troops will be deployed to operate the system, although a specific timeline was not provided by the Israeli army.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, accusing them of acting as a “human shield” for Hezbollah. The U.N. peacekeepers reported that Israeli tanks breached one of their positions, destroying the main gate and causing skin irritation among peacekeepers due to smoke rounds being fired in their vicinity.
The conflict between Israel, Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Israeli airstrikes have targeted various locations in Lebanon, including an Ottoman-era market in Nabatiyeh, while Gaza continues to be subjected to intense military operations that have led to widespread destruction.
The situation in northern Gaza is particularly dire, with Israeli forces conducting frequent attacks in densely populated areas. The United Nations has expressed concern over the lack of food entering northern Gaza since the beginning of October, and reports indicate that bodies remain uncollected in the streets and under rubble due to the ongoing hostilities.
Overall, the conflict shows no signs of abating, with both sides continuing to engage in violent exchanges that have taken a heavy toll on civilians. The international community has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities to prevent further loss of life and destruction in the region.
