PM Netanyahu has called on Lebanese citizens to stand up against Hezbollah, removing them from their territory to avoid more ruin and suffering, threatening the development of a scenario like the one in Gaza. His appeal came when Israel doubled the deployment of its military troops in southern Lebanon, sending thousands of additional troops to enlarge its invasion against the Hezbollah militiamen.

In his address Tuesday, Netanyahu warned the Lebanese people of a long war and called on them to free their country from Hezbollah’s control. “You have a chance to save Lebanon before it sinks into the abyss of a long, destructive war as we are witnessing today in Gaza,” he said.

The statement came as Israeli airstrikes pounded Hezbollah strongholds, killing 50 fighters, according to Israel’s military. However, the Lebanese health ministry reported that 36 civilians were killed and 150 others injured in the past 24 hours of Israeli attacks.

Hezbollah retaliated with further rocket attacks into Israel, targeting the port city of Haifa for the third day running. The barrage injured 12 people as rockets struck northern Israel and widened the scope of the conflict.

Netanyahu also says the Israeli forces had successfully killed the successor of Hassan Nasrallah, though officials in Israel were yet to confirm all the details. Nasrallah remains at the helm of Hezbollah as it continues to defy Israel despite weeks of vigorous military actions.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) have pushed deeper into southwestern Lebanon, where more than 15,000 troops are now deployed around the region. The IDF announced it had taken a Hezbollah combat compound in Maroun al-Ras and showed photos of weapons and equipment as well as rocket launchers that have been destroyed in nearby olive groves.

As the days turn into weeks, the humanitarian crisis continues to deteriorate as the unrest unfolds. The United Nations and other humanitarian agencies have sounded a warning of catastrophic conditions as over 1.2 million Lebanese have been displaced and are living in deplorable conditions, while most others are trying to find refuge in makeshift shelters in Beirut, in a car park among other places.

The violence in Lebanon, which started as a reaction to Hezbollah’s rocket attacks in favour of Hamas during the Gaza war, has now morphed into a full-fledged regional conflict. It has stuck to the narrative that its operation is to protect the safety of its border communities that have been under continuous attack from Hezbollah missiles, drones, and artillery.

Despite Israel’s intense military response, Hezbollah leaders have vowed to continue their resistance. Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s former deputy leader, stated that the group had overcome Israel’s recent blows and was determined to prolong the conflict. He assured that Hezbollah’s capabilities remained intact, despite reports of heavy losses.

As the conflict continues to escalate, international efforts to broker a ceasefire have gained urgency. However, with both sides entrenched in their positions, a resolution seems distant, and the region remains on edge for further violence.

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