Hezbollah launches 50 rockets at Israel, prompting Iron Dome activation | WATCH

Hezbollah launched approximately 50 rockets from southern Lebanon towards Israel on Sunday, intensifying already high tensions in the Middle East. The Iran-backed group stated that its assault on Beit Hillel in northern Israel was a direct response to Israeli strikes on Kfar Kela and Deir Siriane in Lebanon, which Hezbollah claimed resulted in civilian injuries.

The exchange of hostilities has led to significant casualties on both sides. Hezbollah's senior commander, Fuad Shukr was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday evening. Footage has shown Israel's Iron Dome system intercepting many of the rockets fired from Lebanon.

Interceptions of rockets in northern Israel. pic.twitter.com/mCNYxkFLPD

— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) August 3, 2024

Calls for revenge and unconfirmed responsibility

The situation has been further complicated by accusations from Iran and Hamas, who blame Israel for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Both groups, along Hezbollah, have vowed revenge. Israel has yet to confirm or deny any involvement in Haniyeh's death.

Israel-Hamas conflict intensifies

An Israeli delegation, led by the nation's intelligence chief, recently visited Egypt to discuss a possible truce in Gaza. However, the delegation returned without achieving any immediate breakthroughs.

Continued airstrikes and casualties

On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike targeted a school in Gaza City that was sheltering displaced persons, resulting in at least 15 Palestinian deaths. This followed earlier strikes in the West Bank that killed nine militants, including a local Hamas commander, as reported by Hamas.

US President Joe Biden has expressed his hope that Iran will not retaliate for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, stating, "I hope so. I don't know." According to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Israel used a "short-range projectile" to kill Haniyeh outside his accommodation in Tehran.

Humanitarian toll

Gaza health officials have reported a staggering death toll of at least 39,550 Palestinians since the beginning of the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. This campaign was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and 250 abductions, according to Israeli tallies.