The strike, which the United States and Israel have attributed to the Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah, was the deadliest attack on Israel or an Israeli-controlled territory since the Hamas-led attack of Oct. 7, 2023. Early on Sunday, Israel said it had struck Hezbollah targets “deep inside Lebanese territory” and in the south of the country. The airstrikes are thought to be part of Israel’s ongoing operations against the militant group and not its response to Saturday’s attack. Israel and Hezbollah have traded fire since Oct. 8, 2023, when the militant group, which dominates southern Lebanon, launched a volley of attacks on northern Israel in solidarity with Hamas. Hezbollah presents a potentially greater threat to Israel than Hamas in the event of a full-scale war.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 30, 2024 00:07 UTC