Israel News for 9-23-2024
News Update
The IDF is carrying out hundreds of strikes in southern Lebanon and in the Beqaa Valley, deep inside Lebanon, against Hezbollah targets, particularly rocket launching sites. Over 300 targets have been hit today. the Lebanese Health Ministry announced that 189 people in Lebanon had been killed and more than 700 wounded from the attacks. Over the weekend, Hezbollah fired over 150 rockets at northern Israel, including the Haifa area. Several rockets hit the Haifa suburb of Kiryat Bialik, causing several injuries and damage to homes and structures.
The IDF has discovered that Hezbollah is hiding heavy missiles in civilian homes and buildings, and is sending warning messages to civilians, over radio frequencies, in those locations, particularly in the Beqaa Valley, to evacuate before striking the structures. A broadcast on Lebanese radio stations issued an urgent warning: “This is an important message for Lebanon’s residents. The IDF is targeting Hezbollah’s military sites. If you are in or near a building used by Hezbollah, you must evacuate immediately. Being near Hezbollah operatives or facilities poses a life-threatening risk.” According to the Lebanese National News Agency, Lebanon’s Minister of Information, Ziad al-Makari, also received a call urging him to leave the building he was in.
IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in an afternoon press conference that the military was striking “infrastructure that Hezbollah built up for years.” He said “every home” hit by the Israeli Air Force today was used by Hezbollah to store weapons.
The IDF has informed UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) to evacuate its personnel north of the Litani River and from areas in southern Lebanon.
Early today, a contractor worker at the Lachish Air Force base tried to stab a soldier at one of the guard posts at the Lachish training base of the Central Command, near Bet Guvrin. The terrorist was shot and neutralized.
There are unconfirmed rumors and speculation that Hamas leader Sinwar might have been wounded and killed in one of the recent IDF air strikes in Gaza. But there is no evidence to substantiate that, so it might just be wishful thinking. MEanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu said yesterday that intelligence reports indicate that only half of the remaining 101 hostages in Gaza are still alive. Hamas has reportedly rejected the latest U.S. plan for a ceasefire agreement.
