Iran fires multiple missile strikes across Israel
FOX NewsSep 19
Israel Calls for More Towns, Villages in South Lebanon to Evacuate
Above: Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike on the town of Khiam on Oct. 3, 2024 near Marjayoun, Lebanon. Image copyright: Carl Court/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
The Israeli military on Thursday called for Lebanese in over 20 cities, towns, and villages to evacuate, including south Lebanon's largest city Nabatieh. The Lebanese government has said that over 1.2M people have fled regions affected by Israel's bombing campaign.
The Financial Times reported that the bombing has destroyed around 3.1K buildings since Sept. 20 and killed over 1.3K people — exceeding the death toll from the 2006 war with Israel — making this the deadliest conflict in Lebanon since the civil war. Over 60K Israelis have been displaced by Hezbollah's rocket fire.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Though the situation in the region continues to escalate, the US has stood firm in its role as a mediator. Israel has every right to respond to the daily terror attacks it has seen since Oct. 7. However, it's in no one's interest for tensions to explode into a wider regional war. The US will continue to work toward regional stability.
Pro-Israel narrative
Israel has been incredibly patient regarding the situation in the north, but, after a year of daily terror attacks on Israeli civilians, Israel has been forced to deal with Hezbollah more aggressively. Indeed, Iran's attack on Tuesday proves that Israel's patience has not led to de-escalation. Israel wants peace more than anyone, but it cannot allow Hezbollah and other Iran-backed terror groups to threaten its society in such an existential way.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Israel has greatly escalated the situation in the region, with the US supporting it every step of the way. Indeed, Israel may expand its genocidal campaign that began in Gaza to Lebanon. Though the US, the most powerful country in the world, has continued its charade that it wants de-escalation, the reality is the US fully supports Israel's crimes across the region. Hamas and Hezbollah may be weakened, but resistance to Israel's expansionist project is inevitable.