On November 24, 2024, Hezbollah launched an unprecedented rocket assault targeting Israel, including areas near Tel Aviv. Approximately 250 rockets were fired by Hezbollah, with many striking central and northern Israel. Cities like Petah Tikva and Haifa reported significant damage, with houses reduced to rubble and several residents injured.
These Hezbollah rocket strikes followed a deadly Israeli Beirut bombing on Saturday that killed 29 people and destroyed critical infrastructure. Hezbollah claimed its retaliation specifically targeted Israeli military sites near Tel Aviv. Civilians in both Lebanon and Israel have been deeply affected, with over 60,000 Israeli residents evacuated and Beirut's population grappling with mounting casualties and displacement.
The caretaker prime minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati, denounced the latest strike, describing it as a "direct, bloody message rejecting all efforts and ongoing contacts" to terminate the war, and as an attack on US-led ceasefire efforts.
This Tel Aviv strike is one of the most severe escalations since the conflict intensified in October 2023.
Israeli Airstrike Causes Devastation in Beirut
The Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s central district, conducted on November 23, 2024, was one of the deadliest in years. Targeting suspected Hezbollah command centers, the attack killed at least 29 people, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, and injured over 70 others. Among the casualties were several civilians, sparking outrage across Lebanon.
The bombing added to the staggering toll in Lebanon, where over 3,670 people have been killed since October 2023, displacing more than one million residents. Lebanese officials reported this as one of the deadliest single attacks in recent months. The area hit is a Hezbollah stronghold, and the strike came amid mounting hostilities since October.
Israel justified the attack as part of its broader campaign to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure. The strikes focused on Dahieh, a stronghold of Hezbollah in southern Beirut. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the air raids aimed to cripple the group’s operational capabilities, including its command centers and rocket launch sites.
In response, Hezbollah vowed immediate retaliation, leading to Sunday’s rocket attacks. Its leader declared that Israel’s actions would "not go unanswered," escalating fears of a prolonged conflict.
Calls for Ceasefire and Way Forward
The growing violence has triggered calls for a ceasefire, with the United States reportedly mediating between the two sides. Israeli media revealed that Israel is considering a US-proposed truce, although significant differences persist. Meanwhile, Lebanese officials have urged the international community to pressure Israel into halting its airstrikes.
In Israel, the rocket attacks have forced tens of thousands to flee their homes in northern areas. Local authorities have evacuated about 60,000 residents, while bomb shelters across the country remain overcrowded. Despite the challenges, Israeli officials remain firm in their stance, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to continue military operations until Hezbollah is “neutralized.”
Both sides have shown no immediate signs of backing down. With the humanitarian toll rising, the international community faces increasing pressure to broker a lasting peace. However, the deep-seated animosities and strategic stakes for both Hezbollah and Israel make a resolution challenging.