Iran’s Largest Missile Strike on Israel Spurs Fears of Wider Middle East War

Hezbollah forces have killed at least 14 Israeli soldiers in ground clashes in southern Lebanon, with many others wounded, according to reports from Sky News Arabia, which cited sources. The clashes occurred as Israel intensified its military campaign against the armed group. Israeli Channel 12 also confirmed the death of a third soldier from the Israeli Egoz Unit during the fighting, marking the deadliest day for Israeli forces on the Lebanon front in the past year amid escalating confrontations with the Iran-backed group.

Hezbollah has acknowledged that its fighters were engaged in ground combat with Israeli troops inside Lebanon, marking the first such encounters since Israel began its ground offensive.

Israeli Army Radio reported that a commando unit had clashed with Hezbollah fighters in a building in a southern Lebanese village, prompting medical rescue teams to be deployed to assist injured soldiers. The report added that Hezbollah fighters continued to fire mortar shells during the rescue, which led Israeli forces to respond with heavy gunfire.

In a social media post at 7:56 PM (PST), the Israel Defense Forces confirmed the deaths of eight soldiers. The fallen soldiers were identified as Captain Eitan Itzhak Oster, Captain Harel Etinger, Captain Itai Ariel Giat, Sergeant First Class Noam Barzilay, Sergeant First Class Or Mantzur, Sergeant First Class Nazaar Itkin, Staff Sergeant Almken Terefe, and Staff Sergeant Ido Broyer.

These clashes follow Israel’s ground incursion into Lebanon, escalating the violence along the Lebanese-Israeli border. The Israeli military announced that additional infantry and armored units were joining the ground operations. This escalation follows a missile strike on Israel by Iran, heightening fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East.

Iran, after launching its largest-ever missile attack on Israel, stated that it had concluded its strikes unless further provoked. Both Israel and the United States have vowed strong retaliation. The Israeli military confirmed that several missiles fired by Iran landed inside Israeli air force bases but caused no casualties or damage.

The Lebanese militant group also claimed to have targeted three Israeli Merkava tanks with guided rockets in the village of Maroun al-Ras, located near the border.

At an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting on the escalating Middle East crisis, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged swift action, warning that the situation was rapidly spiraling out of control. He described the violence as “raging fires” that could turn into a “full-scale inferno.” Guterres highlighted that conditions had severely worsened over the past week, emphasizing that the situation had gone from “bad to much, much worse.”

Guterres also mentioned Israel’s rejection of a proposed temporary ceasefire while it intensified its military operations in Lebanon. Despite Israel’s request for the relocation of UN peacekeepers, he confirmed that they remain in their positions, with the “UN flag still flying.” He condemned Iran’s recent missile strike on Israel, noting that his earlier failure to condemn the attack promptly had led to a temporary ban from Israel.

Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire to prevent a full-scale war in Lebanon, warning of the “profound and devastating consequences” such a conflict would have.

While, US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell has stated that the Biden administration is coordinating closely with Israel to shape its response to Iran’s recent missile strikes. Speaking during a virtual event organized by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Campbell emphasized the fragile situation in the Middle East, warning that any further escalation could jeopardize both Israeli and US interests.

“The region is on a knife’s edge, and a wider conflict could endanger strategic interests,” Campbell said, addressing Iran’s retaliation against Israel. On Tuesday, Iran launched ballistic missiles in response to Israel’s operations targeting Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon. Air raid sirens echoed across Israel, and explosions were heard in Jerusalem and the Jordan River Valley, forcing residents to take shelter.

Iran has vowed further retaliation following Israeli strikes that killed senior Hezbollah figures in Lebanon. The missile barrage comes in the wake of Israel’s ground incursions into Lebanon, described by Israeli officials as limited operations. However, the conflict marks the most significant escalation since last year’s Gaza conflict.

Campbell condemned Iran’s actions as “highly irresponsible” and stressed the need for a coordinated, firm response to Tehran. “A response is necessary, but we are aware of the region’s delicate balance, which raises serious concerns about further escalation,” he said. He also warned that extended hostilities would not only threaten Israel but could undermine broader US interests in the region.

While addressing the situation with Lebanon, Campbell criticized the cross-border attacks as “destabilizing” and expressed caution over Israel engaging in extended ground operations in Lebanon. “We understand and support some of Israel’s actions, but we are cautious about any prolonged conflict in Lebanon,” he added, underlining the importance of maintaining regional stability.

When asked about the US reaction to Iran’s missile strikes, Campbell stressed the importance of consultation and coordination with Israel to ensure open lines of communication and shared understanding of perspectives. He concluded, “The level of attention this situation requires from our senior leadership is significant and cannot be overstated.”