On Wednesday, the Israeli Defense Forces declared that they were sending regular infantry and armored units to assist in the Lebanese ground operations in an attempt to heighten the offensive against Hezbollah because of the Iranian missile bombardments in the recent past. Even as the battle with Hamas in Gaza was raging, Israel has directed more of its military resources in southern Lebanon since the incidence of an Iranian attack, raising fears of a broader war in the Middle East region.
The Israeli military announced new missile pipeline installed by Iran finally because this was the longest Russia has appeared in Israel missiles, to which Iran blamed Israel for aggression towards Gaza and Lebanon, although no more were said would be lost or attempted unless they were attacked. Unfortunately, everyone including Israel, USA and Saddam Hussein promised they will respond offense on Iraq.
Fighting along the Israeli-Lebanese border continued on Wednesday, with Israel adding units from the 36th Division, including the Golani Brigade, the 188th Armored Brigade, and the 6th Infantry Brigade. This suggests the operation may expand beyond the limited commando raids previously conducted. The Israeli military emphasized that its ground operations aim to dismantle tunnels and other infrastructure along the border, with no plans for a larger assault on Beirut or other major Lebanese cities. Additionally, evacuation orders were issued for around two dozen towns along Israel’s southern border.
Hezbollah claimed to have come under attack by Israel Defense Forces in the unoccupied border area of Maroun el-Ras, where they reported engaging Israeli troops and claim to have turned them back after attacking another town and launching rockets at IDF outposts. Israel for its part however continued its bombardment of the southern parts of the Beirut Ad Harar area which is known to be a Hezbollah stronghold, attacking what it called as Hezbollah facilities. The minister of telecommunications in Lebanon has stated that a cellular transmission grid was destroyed during the strike action.
Despite international calls for a ceasefire from the United Nations, the U.S., and the European Union, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah shows no signs of abating. Lebanese government reports indicate that nearly 1,900 people have been killed and over 9,000 injured in Lebanon due to the year-long cross-border fighting, with casualties escalating in recent weeks. More than a million people have been displaced.
It is incredible how many ordinary people have fled the country, and among others, Malika Joumaa who is Sudanese, with her family, stayed at the Saint Joseph’s Church in Beirut after escaping their house near Sidon. “It is a good thing the church took us in because there was nowhere to turn. We went under a bridge because it is pretty dangerous, but it was not our house and it was not safe either. They are bombing everywhere,” Joumaa narrated.
Heightened Tensions and Global Reactions
Iran’s state media reported that three Israeli military bases were targeted in the missile strikes. Ibrahim Jafari, an advisor to the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, claimed that a simultaneous cyberattack accompanied the missile barrage, with all targets reportedly hit. Iranian military officials warned that any Israeli retaliation would lead to “vast destruction” of Israel’s infrastructure.
Iran’s foreign minister declared the assault over unless Israel retaliates, in which case Iran promised a stronger response. Like a previous attack in April, this week’s strikes caused limited damage, with one Palestinian casualty reported. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to retaliate, stating that Israel can reach anywhere in Iran. U.S. media outlet Axios reported that potential targets for Israeli retaliation could include Iranian oil facilities and other strategic sites.
Iranian citizens expressed fear of Israeli retaliation, with many reflecting on the devastation of previous wars, such as the 1980s Iran-Iraq conflict, which claimed about a million lives. “Wars only bring destruction and suffering. Our leaders won’t pay the price—it’s ordinary people who will,” said Nima Mokhtarian, an NGO worker.
Iran’s missile strikes and Israel’s military actions in Lebanon have caused alarm globally, with Tehran’s regional allies—including Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthis, and armed groups in Iraq—continuing their attacks in support of Hamas. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged Iran and Hezbollah to cease their strikes on Israel, warning that Iran risked escalating the conflict across the region. Russia and Japan also voiced deep concern about the deteriorating situation.
Iran claimed the missile strikes were retaliation for Israeli operations that had targeted senior militant leaders, including Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and attacks on Gaza. The assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, widely attributed to Israel, has further inflamed tensions. While Israel has not claimed responsibility, Washington pledged to work with Israel to ensure Iran faced “severe consequences” for the missile assault, which involved over 180 ballistic missiles, according to Israeli reports.
Israel’s air defenses were activated during the Iranian missile strike, with most missiles intercepted by Israeli systems and a defensive coalition led by the U.S., according to Israeli Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.