Lebanon reports nearly 500 dead in a single day as Israel intensifies its offensive against Hezbollah. Military analysts say the strikes are necessary to neutralize Hezbollah’s entrenched military threat and degrade aerial arsenal.

The Israel-Hezbollah conflict has sharply intensified as Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) ramped up their airstrikes on Hezbollah military infrastructure across southern Lebanon. Between September 23 and 24, 2024, Israel unleashed one of its most significant offensives in recent years, targeting more than 100 Hezbollah sites, including rocket launchers, command centers, and bunkers. The escalating violence has resulted in hundreds of casualties and widespread destruction, with fears that the conflict may expand into a broader regional war.

Mounting Death Toll in Lebanon

According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, 492 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on September 23 alone, marking one of the deadliest days since the conflict began in October 2023 following Hamas’s attack on Israel. The ministry also reported hundreds of injuries, many of them civilians. Rescue efforts have been hampered by continued airstrikes, damaged infrastructure, and Hezbollah’s positioning of military assets within densely populated areas.

Israeli military officials emphasized that the strikes were aimed at degrading Hezbollah’s military capabilities. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, IDF spokesperson, stated that Hezbollah had “entrenched themselves within civilian areas” and that Israel’s goal is to dismantle their infrastructure. “We are engaged in precise, calculated strikes to protect our citizens and weaken Hezbollah’s ability to threaten Israel’s northern border,” Hagari noted.

Hezbollah’s Retaliation and Threats of Further Escalation

In response, Hezbollah launched numerous rockets into northern Israel, targeting Haifa and the Galilee region. While most were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome, some landed in unpopulated areas. Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, declared that the group had entered a “new phase of open confrontation” and would respond to Israel’s strikes with even greater force.

Qassem’s statement echoed Hezbollah’s long-standing rhetoric of resistance, yet analysts believe that Hezbollah is attempting to balance its involvement in the conflict with the broader geopolitical landscape, particularly its relationship with Iran. The group’s ability to sustain prolonged operations against Israel remains under question, especially given the severe damage inflicted by Israeli strikes.

Civilian Exodus and Humanitarian Crisis

The conflict has created a mass exodus from southern Lebanon, with tens of thousands of civilians fleeing their homes as Israeli leaflets and phone messages warned of impending strikes. The hardest-hit areas, including Hezbollah strongholds in the Bekaa Valley and near the city of Tyre, have seen continuous bombardment. Schools in these regions have been closed indefinitely, and local hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of wounded.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, condemned the strikes, accusing Israel of waging a campaign to “destroy Lebanese villages and towns” and calling for international intervention. “We need urgent help from the international community to prevent further destruction and loss of life,” he said. Mikati’s government has been in disarray, unable to address the growing humanitarian catastrophe.

Support from Military Analysts

While the Lebanese government and Hezbollah have been vocal in their criticism of Israel’s actions, several military analysts have expressed support for the Israeli offensive, emphasizing the necessity of neutralizing Hezbollah’s growing threat. Amos Yadlin, former chief of Israeli Military Intelligence, argued that the IDF’s strategy is sound and that Hezbollah’s extensive military buildup near the Israeli border made the strikes necessary. “Hezbollah has transformed large parts of southern Lebanon into an armed fortress, filled with missiles, launchers, and underground infrastructure. Israel has no choice but to target these sites,” Yadlin stated.

He also noted that Hezbollah’s use of civilian areas for military purposes makes it difficult for the IDF to avoid collateral damage. “Hezbollah is deliberately hiding within civilian populations, making it almost impossible for Israel to strike only military targets,” Yadlin explained. He called for greater international understanding of Israel’s position, arguing that Israel is acting within its right to self-defense.

Similarly, Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, described the strikes as part of a long-overdue campaign to deal with the growing Iranian influence in Lebanon through Hezbollah. “Iran has been using Hezbollah as a proxy to exert control over Lebanon and threaten Israel. The IDF’s offensive is a necessary response to the threat posed by Iran’s proxy forces in the region,” Schanzer commented.

Michael Herzog, Israel’s ambassador to the United States and a former military strategist, added that the Israeli military had meticulously planned the operation to target Hezbollah’s most critical infrastructure. “This is not a haphazard campaign; it is a carefully calculated military operation aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s military power, particularly their missile stockpiles and command centers,” Herzog said. He highlighted that Hezbollah’s military capabilities, if left unchecked, would allow them to conduct far more devastating attacks on Israeli cities.

Diplomatic and International Concerns

Despite the backing from military analysts, there has been growing concern within the international community. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for both sides to show restraint, warning that Lebanon could become “another Gaza” if the conflict continues to escalate. Guterres expressed alarm at the rising civilian casualties and called for both sides to pull back from the brink of all-out war.

The United States, Israel’s strongest ally, has also expressed concern over the situation. President Joe Biden reaffirmed support for Israel’s right to self-defense but urged caution. “We stand firmly with Israel in its efforts to protect its citizens, but we are also working tirelessly to prevent this from becoming a wider war,” Biden said. U.S. diplomats have reportedly been in contact with Israeli officials, urging them to minimize civilian casualties.

Hezbollah’s Strategy and Regional Implications

Hezbollah’s increasing involvement in the conflict has drawn sharp criticism from Lebanese political factions, many of whom accuse the group of dragging the country into a conflict it cannot win. “Hezbollah claims to be defending Lebanon, but in reality, they are making decisions that will only bring more destruction to our country,” said one Lebanese lawmaker who asked not to be named.

Regional experts have noted that Hezbollah’s actions are closely tied to Iran’s broader strategy of confronting Israel through proxy forces. Eyal Zisser, a professor at Tel Aviv University and an expert on Lebanese politics, remarked that Hezbollah’s escalation is part of a calculated move to distract Israel and tie it down in multiple theaters of conflict. “This is not just about Hezbollah and Lebanon—it’s about Iran’s wider ambitions in the Middle East. Tehran wants to weaken Israel by forcing it to fight on multiple fronts,” Zisser said.

Future Prospects

As both Israel and Hezbollah continue their military operations, the prospects for a ceasefire seem remote. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that the IDF would continue its operations until Hezbollah’s military capabilities are significantly reduced. “We will not allow Hezbollah to pose a threat to our citizens. We have dealt them severe blows, and we will continue until they understand the consequences of their aggression,” Netanyahu said.

On the other side, Hezbollah has vowed to keep fighting, with Naim Qassem signaling that more rocket attacks on Israeli cities are imminent. “This is just the beginning of our response. Israel will pay for its actions,” he warned.

For now, Lebanon remains a battlefield, with civilians caught in the middle of a conflict that shows no signs of abating. The longer the fighting continues, the greater the risk that it will draw in other regional actors, potentially sparking a wider war that could engulf the entire Middle East.