Limor Simhony Philpott

Are Israel and Lebanon already at war?

Smoke rises in the southern Lebanese Marjayoun plain after being hit by Israeli shelling (Credit: Getty images)

This hasn’t been the easiest week for Hezbollah. It started with the terror organisation’s pagers mysteriously exploding, killing 37 people people (according to official reports) and injuring some 3,000 people, mostly members of the group. This has stunned Hezbollah – and the world. A day later, their walkie-talkies starting blowing up too. 

The attacks, which have been attributed to Israel, are a serious security breech and have humiliated Hezbollah. In response, the organisation’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah conceded today that Hezbollah has suffered a considerable blow and accused Israel of ‘crossing the red line,’ adding that they actions could be viewed as a ‘declaration of war.’  

Israeli officials declared yesterday that a new phase in the conflict against Hezbollah has started. Following from the explosions, today Israel attacked several Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, with Israeli fighter jets flying in the sky over Beirut during Nasrallah’s speech. Hezbollah has also fired into Israel earlier today, killing two soldiers. 

The big question is, has full-scale war now started?

Israel and Hezbollah have been on the brink of war since 8 October.

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