Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Israel both launched several airstrikes on one another on the morning of Sunday, 25 August, threatening ongoing ceasefire negotiations and increasing chances of a regional war. Hezbollah launched a large-scale attack against Israel at dawn, shortly after Israel’s military reported that it preemptively struck Hezbollah’s positions. Around 100 Israeli jets targeted over 40 launch sites in southern Lebanon, destroying numerous rocket launchers that were aimed at northern and central Israel, the military reported. Hezbollah confirmed that their decision to fire hundreds of rockets and drones is retaliation for Israel’s assassination of a senior commander, Fuad Shukr, in Beirut last month. The group primarily targeted Israeli military positions, listing 11 different bases in its statement. The Iranian-backed militant group also highlighted that their attack is considered the “first phase” of its military response to Israel, hinting that further actions would follow in due course. Further clarity regarding the military operation will be shared in future statements, Hezbollah concluded. In response to the escalation, Israel’s Minister of Defence, Yoav Gallant, declared a 48-hour state of emergency nationwide. Flights to and from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport were also temporarily…
