Escalating conflict: Israel steps up military attacks in Lebanon after Iranian missile strike

JERUSALEM/BEIRUT, July 14 – The Israeli military said Wednesday it was deploying regular infantry and armored units into southern Lebanon to battle Iran-backed Hezbollah as it readies to retaliate over a series of Iranian missile attacks.

Currently entangled in a Gaza battle with Hamas, Israel is expanding its military activities in southern Lebanon in the wake of recent Iranian attacks, raising fears that the wider regional conflict in the oil-rich Middle East could draw the rest of the region into battle.
The troops from the 36th Division, which comprises the Golani Brigade, the 188th Armored Brigade and the 6th Infantry Brigade, suggest an operation which has run far beyond mere limited commando raids.

Iran claims missile attack finished, threatens more
Iran says the country’s missile attack on Israel-the most significant military attack by Iran against Israel to date-is over unless Jerusalem provokes it again. Israel and the US say they will retaliate; Israel is preparing for a “considerable retaliation,” possibly strikes against oil facilities and other strategic locations in Iran.

Despite calls for a ceasefire from the United Nations, the United States, and the European Union, clashes between Israel and Hezbollah are far from over. On Wednesday, Israel continued its bombardment of southern Beirut with strikes on at least a dozen targets tied to Hezbollah.

Rounding up people and Ground Skirmishes

As thick clouds of smoke spread across southern suburbs of Beirut, Israeli forces issued new evacuation orders for the area, which has largely emptied following attacks on it. Hezbollah reported countering Israeli forces in a part of Lebanese town Adaisseh early on Wednesday, claiming to have forced them to retreat.

Iran’s state media reported on Tuesday that the missile assault only targeted military sites, as a reprisal of measures taken against Hezbollah and in Gaza by Israel. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said further provocations could result in stronger retaliatory measures.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded harshly to the attack, saying Iran had made a terrible mistake that would have consequences.
The United States has promised to support Israel and let Iran face “severe consequences” for launching the missile attacks that total over 180 ballistic missiles.

Escalation of Regional Tensions

As tensions rise that the U.S. and Iran may get pulled into a wider regional war, Israeli strikes against Lebanon have escalated. The Pentagon said its Navy warships have intercepted Iranian missiles bound for Israel with help from the coalition.

Reports in the past weeks have seen rising deaths with nearly 1,900 killed and more than 9,000 injured in Lebanon as a result of the conflict crossing the border, which majorly happened in the last two weeks. International leaders, for instance, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, were closely observing the conflict so as to be on the lookout for the aftermath of this on supplies of oil and regional stability.