Reactions to Escalating Tensions Between Israel and Hezbollah; Israel Denies Hassan Nasrallah's Claims

Following the attacks between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, the total number of casualties from both sides has been reported as four, and the extremist group Hamas also launched a missile towards the outskirts of Tel Aviv. Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union. The military wing of Hamas claimed on Sunday evening that it had fired an "M-90 missile" towards Tel Aviv. Hours later, the Israeli army announced that a projectile fired from Khan Younis in southern Gaza had landed in an open area near the city of Rishon Lezion in the outskirts of Tel Aviv. This missile launch occurred while Israel reported a "preemptive attack" on southern Lebanon early on Sunday, after which Hezbollah claimed to have launched hundreds of rockets and drones at Israel. Israel confirmed the death of one of its soldiers during the attacks early on Sunday, while Hezbollah reported that three people had been killed in the Israeli attacks. Israel denied Hezbollah's leader's claim about targeting a military base near Tel Aviv. Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, claimed in a speech broadcast on Sunday evening that the group's attacks on Israel had been "successful." He alleged that Gilat, an Israeli army intelligence base near Tel Aviv, was targeted by the group's drones. Shortly after this claim, an Israeli army spokesman told AFP that no damage had been inflicted on the Gilat base. In his speech, Nasrallah also reiterated Hezbollah's earlier claim that over "320 rockets and drones" were fired at "11 Israeli military sites" early on Sunday. The Israeli army stated that "most" of Hezbollah's projectiles were neutralized and no military bases were harmed. According to the report, an Israeli naval soldier who was on a maritime patrol was killed by shrapnel from a defense system, and several Hezbollah rockets resulted in one injury and damage to several homes. Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Advisor, remarked on Sunday evening regarding the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, stating that the United States is working to prevent a "full-scale regional war." Earlier, Lloyd Austin, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, ordered two U.S. task forces in the Middle East to remain in the region's waters. Reuters also reported, citing an American official, that the United States had no involvement in Israel's attacks on southern Lebanon but had provided information regarding potential Hezbollah attacks to Israel. On the other hand, The New York Times, citing Lebanon's state news agency, reported that Israel's attacks were the most severe operations since the beginning of the Gaza war and had caused damage to infrastructure in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah and called for a cessation of hostilities. Egypt and Jordan also warned about the worsening regional conditions following the escalation of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. However, Reuters reported, citing two diplomats, that Israel and Hezbollah had exchanged messages indicating that they were not seeking to escalate the conflict and that the exchange of fire at this stage was "over."