JERUSALEM. Israeli officials stated on Monday that the country aims to strike Hezbollah while avoiding a full-scale war in the Middle East. This comes in response to a rocket attack that resulted in the deaths of 12 children and teenagers in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Two Israeli officials indicated that Israel is bracing for a potential short-term conflict following Saturday’s rocket strike on a sports field in a Druze village. “The estimation is that the response will not lead to an all-out war,” said a diplomatic source. “That would not be in our interest at this point.”
The U.S. and Israel have attributed the attack to Hezbollah, although the Lebanese group has denied involvement. The incident has heightened fears that ongoing hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed group could escalate into a more destructive conflict.
Israel’s security cabinet has authorized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to decide on the response strategy. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, potential actions could include targeted strikes on infrastructure such as bridges, power plants, and ports, or attacks on Hezbollah weaponry and leadership.
The current clashes are the most severe since the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, which has intensified due to the ongoing Gaza conflict. Hezbollah, allied with Hamas, has indicated that its attacks on Israel are in support of Palestinians and has hinted that a ceasefire will only occur when Israel halts its Gaza offensive.
The border conflict has displaced tens of thousands on both sides. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed the need to prevent further escalation in a call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. They discussed diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation and to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.
Germany has urged all involved, particularly Iran, to avoid escalating the situation.
In related news, an Israeli drone strike killed two Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon on Monday, marking the first fatalities in Lebanon since Saturday’s attack. Additionally, three others, including an infant, were wounded in the strike. An Israeli military statement confirmed the downing of a drone that crossed into Western Galilee.
Flights at Beirut’s international airport have been disrupted in anticipation of possible Israeli retaliation. Despite the ongoing hostilities, both sides have sought to prevent a full-scale war since their latest exchanges began in October.
Hezbollah has refuted claims of firing the rocket that caused civilian casualties, stating instead that they targeted a military site on the Golan Heights, an area Israel annexed after the 1967 Middle East war.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
