There’s “clearly going to be escalation” before the current conflict in the Middle East is resolved, says a security and defence editor Deborah Haynes in northern Israel.
It’s been almost five days since Israel’s military announced it was launching a “limited” ground incursion into southern Lebanon aimed at removing Hezbollah and its military capabilities from the area.
That operation shows no signs of slowing down, Haynes says, with the “persistent sound” of artillery fire heading from northern Israel into Lebanon.
“Behind me, a helicopter gunship just opened fire a few minutes ago, and we’ve heard some loud explosions in the darkness,” she says.
At the same time, Israel is facing consistent attacks from different aggressors.
Some 450 rockets have been fired into the country from Lebanon in the past two days, while, the IDF said two Israeli soldiers died today following an Iraqi drone strike on a base in the Golan Heights.
Israel is also discussing how best to retaliate to Iran after it launched around 200 missiles at Israel at the start of the week.
“It really underlines the multi dimension of the war and also the fact that this ‘Axis of Resistance’ as it’s called, is fighting back,” adds Haynes.
“From what we’re hearing in Iran and from its allies, they are not going to be backing down, and there’s clearly going to be escalation before this is resolved.”
Blasts heard in Beirut
Blasts have been heard in the southern suburbs of Beirut this evening.
It follows an evacuation order issued by Israel’s military a short while ago that urged those in or near a specific building in the Burj al Barajneh neighbourhood to leave.
“For your safety and the safety of your family members, you must evacuate this building and the neighbouring buildings immediately and stay away from them for a distance of at least 500 metres,” it said.
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