Attacking Hezbollah, Israel fighter jets launch strikes across Lebanon

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

Israel launched a series of air strikes across Lebanon in what it said was a pre-emptive strike to avert a large Hezbollah attack.
Israeli Prime Minister also warned that the strikes in Lebanon were “not the final word” in Israel’s military campaign against Hezbollah.
Soon after, Hezbollah said it had launched an attack on Israeli military positions as an initial response to the killing of a Lebanese military leader in an Israeli air strike.

Heightened tensions:

Exchange of fire appears to have ended for now and both sides claim to have only targeted military sites.
Situation remains tense, with potential for further escalation.

Background of the issue:

On October 8, 2023, a significant escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict occurred when Hamas launched a large-scale surprise attack on Israel.
In response, Israel undertook extensive military operations in Gaza, aiming to neutralize Hamas’ capabilities and infrastructure.
The escalation led to severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza and heightened tensions across the region.
Hezbollah, a Shiite militant group based in Lebanon, has historically supported Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist organization.
Hezbollah has provided military support and financial aid to Hamas in the ongoing conflict with Israel.
While the Lebanese government officially maintains a stance of neutrality, Hezbollah and Israel have exchanged fire along the Lebanon-Israel border.

Peace talks:

Egypt is hosting high-level talks to broker a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

About Hezbollah:

Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon.
It emerged in the 1980s as a response to the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon.
It is designated as a terrorist organisation by several countries, including US and Israel.
The group is currently involved in Lebanese politics, holding seats in the Parliament and participating in the government.
It is a part of the axis of resistance grouping.