In an dangerous sign that hostilities involving Iran and Israel could quickly ratchet again, Israel on Friday is pounding southern Lebanon, where Iran-backed Hezbollah is entrenched, in the biggest escalation there since a November ceasefire was agreed to.
Massive plumes of smoke have been observed over the region, with Lebanon’s official National News Agency reporting that a residential building in Nabatieh was directly struck, resulting in the death of at least one person and the wounding of 21 more.
Local media further says there over twenty strikes in only under 15-minutes, making it the most intense attack in well over six months.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed what it said were airstrikes targeting a “significant underground project” used by Hezbollah. The statement touted that the site was “completely taken out of use” following the strikes,
But questions remain as the IDF said that it targeted a Hezbollah site identified as Beaufort Ridge, which actually lies some five miles from Nabatieh.
“In recent days, the IDF identified attempts by the Hezbollah terror organization to restore the site, and therefore the terror infrastructure in the area was struck,” the Israeli military said.
Hellbound and Down 