Israel hits hard Lebanon as US calls for restraint

Late on the evening of Sept. 19, Israeli warplanes carried out intensive attacks on the south of Lebanon, further escalating the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah. The U.S. called for restraint, Armenpress reports, citing Reuters.

The Israeli army announced that its warplanes hit the launch sites of multiple rocket launchers for two hours, which were going to launch an attack at Israel. According to the Lebanese state news agency NNA, about 52 attacks were carried out by Israel. This was the most intense air attack in 2023, since the start of fire between the sides in October.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that it hit about 100 rocket launchers, as well as other targets in the south of Lebanon. The IDF has also promised to continue its attacks against Hezbollah. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that the country would continue military operations against Hezbollah, noting that their goal in this new phase of the war is to ensure the safe return of the residents of the northern regions of Israel to their homes.

The Israeli attack was preceded by the explosions of thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies on Sept. 17 and Sept. 18. As a result, a total of 37 people were killed and around 3,500 were injured.