Beirut(Lebanon), 31 May (H.S.):

Chaos reigns in southern Lebanon as military clashes between Israeli forces and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah show no sign of abating. Israel is concentrating its efforts on surrounding the major Lebanese city of Nabatieh. Nabatieh is a principal Hezbollah stronghold where most of its senior commanders and leaders reportedly live with their families.

Shia-majority Nabatieh is considered a central pillar of Hezbollah’s social base and its resistance ideology. The spark for an armed uprising against Israeli forces during the Ashura procession in 1983 originated here. Nabatieh lies very close to the Israeli border. From Nabatieh, Hezbollah fires rockets and missiles at Israeli towns. Nabatieh is also the administrative center of the Nabatieh Governorate and its Caza district.

According to an Al Jazeera report, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) troops have advanced to the immediate vicinity of Nabatieh. Meanwhile, towns in the south devastated by war are being forcibly evacuated of civilians. The IDF’s stated objective is the complete elimination of Hezbollah’s positions and its commanders. The Lebanese army is reportedly observing these developments silently.

Geopolitical analyst Joe Macron said the Lebanese armed forces are completely stretched, as Israeli troops expand their presence into Lebanese territory.

Reports indicate that Israeli forces have pushed north of the Litani River and are gradually encircling Nabatieh. In response, Hezbollah has launched rockets from Nabatieh into northern Israel.

Given the severity of the attacks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu consulted Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, military chief of staff Eyal Zamir, and senior commanders responsible for the northern front.

On Saturday, Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets northward from Nabatieh into Israel. This marked the first rocket attacks on Safed and Nahariya in northern Israel since the ceasefire on April 17. Israeli army radio reported that warning sirens sounded 1,099 times across northern Israel. Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed drone strikes near the Israeli settlement of Netu'a and against the Galilee Forest military camp.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on Israel to cease strikes in the country’s south. Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reported that at least 3,371 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on the country since March 2.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar