Israel strikes Hezbollah's strategic underground weapons depot

According to a statement from the Israeli military, fighter jets attacked the target after issuing a warning to civilians to evacuate the area.

Less than an hour earlier, Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee had asked residents to leave the area, warning of "Hezbollah-linked facilities and interests" that the Israeli military would target in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Nabatiyeh Mayor Howaida Turk said Israel carried out 11 airstrikes on the city and surrounding areas in southern Lebanon on October 16, days after devastating airstrikes in the area. Turk said the intense airstrikes created a “ring of fire” in the area. The number of casualties from the attacks was not immediately clear.

On the same day, the Israeli military said about 50 rockets were fired from Lebanon in an attack on the Israeli town of Safed on the night of October 15. No casualties or damage were reported in the attack.

Regarding the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg stated that the European Union (EU) countries participating in the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) have no intention of withdrawing from southern Lebanon despite Israel's calls for this action.

Summarizing the discussion among EU foreign ministers on October 14, Mr. Schallenberg said that EU countries with troops participating in UNIFIL do not debate nor intend to withdraw their troops from southern Lebanon. He stressed that the security and safety of EU troops is a top priority and must be guaranteed by all parties. The Austrian foreign minister also noted that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hezbollah, but that unprovoked attacks on peacekeeping positions are a violation of international law.

Since Israel’s ground campaign against Hezbollah began on October 1, UNIFIL positions have been attacked and two Israeli tanks have rammed the gates of one of its bases, the United Nations said. At least five peacekeepers have been injured. The recent incidents have alarmed some European governments.

A total of 16 EU countries contribute about 3,600 soldiers out of the 10,000 members of UNIFIL. Of these, Austria has about 160 soldiers participating in UNIFIL.