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Hezbollah Drone Strikes Target Israeli Army; Netanyahu Vows to "Eliminate" Stronghold

Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for multiple drone strikes targeting Israeli military positions and settlements near Nahariya. The World Health Organization reports severe damage to a key Lebanese hospital from nearby strikes, injuring health workers and straining trauma services. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated forces are striking Hezbollah and aim to eliminate its stronghold in Bint Jbeil. Concurrently, rare talks between Israel and Lebanon are ongoing, focusing on long-term peace while hostilities and evacuations continue.

Key Points: Hezbollah Drone Strikes, Netanyahu on Lebanon Talks & Hospital Damage

  • Hezbollah claims 39 operations in 24 hours
  • WHO chief says Lebanese hospital severely damaged
  • Netanyahu vows to eliminate Hezbollah stronghold
  • Rare Israel-Lebanon talks on "sustainable peace"
  • Evacuations advised in southern Lebanon
3 min read

Hezbollah claims drone strikes on Israeli army positions near Nahariya

Hezbollah claims drone attacks on Israel. WHO reports hospital strain. Netanyahu vows to eliminate Hezbollah stronghold amid ongoing talks.

"We are going to defeat Bint Jbeil; we are actually going to eliminate this large Hezbollah stronghold. - Benjamin Netanyahu"

Beirut, April 16

The Lebanese armed group Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for two drone attacks targeting Israeli military positions in northern Israel, according to Al Jazeera.

Hezbollah claims drone strikes on Israeli army positions near Nahariya

The group also reported a second drone strike targeting an Israeli settlement near the Liman barracks, located north of Nahariya.

Hezbollah claimed that its fighters carried out 39 military operations over the past 24 hours. These operations targeted Israeli settlements, troop concentrations and military vehicles, and included close-range clashes along the southern border and in northern Israel, Al Jazeera reported.

Meanwhile, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that Lebanon's Tebnine Government Hospital, one of the busiest trauma centres in the south, is under severe strain after being damaged in two separate nearby strikes on April 12 and 14.

According to Al Jazeera, the WHO chief said 11 health workers were injured in the incidents. He added that the hospital's emergency department, including critical equipment such as "ventilators, monitors, stretchers and trolleys", as well as the pharmacy and outpatient clinics, suffered significant damage.

While services remain operational, Tedros said WHO was "supporting urgent emergency maintenance based on priority needs".

Highlighting the broader impact on healthcare infrastructure, he said that since the start of the conflict, the WHO has recorded "133 attacks on health care with 88 deaths and 206 injuries", as per Al Jazeera.

Tedros further noted that 15 hospitals and seven primary healthcare centres have been damaged, while five hospitals and 56 primary healthcare centres were forced to shut down.

He reiterated his "call for the immediate protection of health care facilities, health workers, ambulances, and patients".

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces are continuing targeted operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon while also engaging in negotiations aimed at long-term peace.

In a video message posted on X, Netanyahu said, "I support the residents of the north who continue to stand firm. At the same time, our forces continue to strike Hezbollah. Focused fighting in Bint Jbeil."

He described Bint Jbeil as a key Hezbollah stronghold and said, "We are going to defeat Bint Jbeil; we are actually going to eliminate this large Hezbollah stronghold."

He also said Israel is holding rare talks with Lebanon aimed at "dismantling Hezbollah" and achieving "sustainable peace--peace through strength."

The talks between Israel and Lebanon are ongoing, with the security cabinet expected to review ceasefire prospects. Despite diplomatic efforts, hostilities have continued, with both sides exchanging fire. Residents in southern Lebanon have been advised to evacuate as tensions continue to rise, according to CNN.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
From an Indian perspective, we know too well the cost of cross-border tensions. The focus should be on protecting civilians and essential services. The damage to healthcare infrastructure will have consequences for years. Peace talks are the only way forward.
A
Arjun K
Hezbollah claiming 39 operations in 24 hours shows how intense this has become. While Israel has a right to defend itself, the cycle of retaliation just keeps spinning. The talks mentioned by Netanyahu are crucial, but "peace through strength" sounds more like a threat.
P
Priyanka N
The human cost is always forgotten in these headlines. 133 attacks on healthcare? 88 deaths? These are not just statistics, these are doctors, nurses, and sick people. The international community needs to do more than just issue statements.
M
Michael C
Reading this from Delhi, it feels like a conflict that's spiraling with no clear endgame. Drone strikes, stronghold eliminations, talks happening alongside fighting... it's a recipe for prolonged suffering for the ordinary people of Lebanon and Israel.
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Kavya N
A respectful criticism: The article leans heavily on Al Jazeera and WHO reports. It would be good to have more direct statements from the Israeli military or government for balance, especially regarding the claims of 39 operations. Still, the hospital damage is undeniable and a tragedy.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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