In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, satellite imagery shows the devastating toll on both sides of the border. Since October, Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants backed by Iran have engaged in near-daily exchanges of fire, leading to widespread structural destruction in Lebanon, where thousands of buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Israeli airstrikes and shelling have killed nearly 500 people, while Hezbollah has launched thousands of rockets that have killed 43 people in Israel and caused wildfires.
The fighting has displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border and caused significant fires that threaten food production in the region. The conflict escalated in July with a deadly rocket attack from Lebanon and retaliatory strikes from Israel, leading to fears of a larger regional war. Lebanese border towns with Israel, mainly made up of Shiite Muslims supporting Hezbollah, have borne the brunt of the destruction.
As tensions rise, there are calls for a full-scale invasion from some Israelis, while others fear the devastating consequences of Hezbollah’s arsenal of precision-guided missiles. Israeli military commanders are concerned about waging a parallel war against Hamas in Gaza and the possibility of intense conflict in Lebanon with dwindling munition stockpiles. The future of the conflict remains uncertain, with both sides vowing vengeance as fears of a wider war loom.
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