Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Wednesday that half of the commanders of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group have been killed and the rest were in hiding.
Yoav Gallant © IPS
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Wednesday that half of the commanders of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group have been killed and the rest were in hiding.
Speaking during a visit to the north Gallant said the primary objective was the safe return of residents of the Lebanon border area, to their homes after they evacuated at the start of the war.
Hezbollah has intensified its hostilities against Israel by launching drones, missiles, and rockets from the southern Lebanon border area since October 2023. This escalation has led to significant retaliatory actions by the Israeli military.
A United Nations resolution theoretically prohibits Hezbollah from maintaining militants and weapons in the border zone. However, this mandate is not being adhered to and has historically been ignored. The resolution stipulates that the Iran-backed Shiite militia should be positioned at least 30 kilometers from the border, a guideline that has been consistently violated.
The continuous attacks have forced Israel to evacuate approximately 80,000 residents from the northern regions of the country. The ongoing conflict has severely disrupted local industries and agriculture, bringing economic activities in the affected areas to a halt for the past seven months.
The international community faces significant challenges in enforcing the UN resolution and curbing Hezbollah's military presence near the border. The situation remains tense and volatile, with potential implications for wider regional stability.
By Sarak Vinhard
Iran believes reaching an agreement on its nuclear programme with the United States is possible as long as Washington is realistic, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday on the eve of a second round of talks with the Trump administration.
U.S. strikes on Yemen's Ras Isa fuel port have killed at least 74 people in the deadliest attack since the U.S. launched its large-scale campaign against the Houthis last month, according to the Houthi-run health ministry.
With his campaign promises unfulfilled to quickly bring peace to Gaza and Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump has turned to another high-profile challenge that could be just as elusive: curbing Iran's escalating nuclear program.
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