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Beirut, Lebanon – A dramatic development unfolded in the late evening hours of Thursday, as multiple eyewitness accounts emerged of Israeli jets spotted soaring over Mount Lebanon, a rugged region in the heart of the country. The sighting has sent shockwaves through the region, straining an already volatile relationship between Lebanon and Israel.
According to multiple sources, the Israeli fighter jets were seen flying at a relatively low altitude, reportedly in the vicinity of the town of Ain Zhalta, a small mountain village located in the Chtaura district. Residents of the area reported hearing loud roar of the aircraft, as well as seeing the distinctive contrails left behind by the jets.
“It was like the whole sky was shaking,” said one eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous. “The noise was deafening, and I could see the planes flying at an incredibly low altitude, just above the trees.”
The incident has sparked widespread concern among Lebanese authorities, who have long been at odds with Israel over a range of issues, including the country’s southern border and disputes over access to disputed oil and gas reserves in the Mediterranean Sea.
“This is a grave and reckless escalation by the Israelis,” said a senior Lebanese official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We are seeking immediate clarification from the Israeli government as to the purpose of this overflight, and we will not hesitate to take necessary measures to protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
For its part, the Israeli government has yet to officially comment on the incident, but sources close to the Israeli military revealed that the overflight was likely connected to operations against “Iran-backed militias” in the region.
The Israeli military has been on high alert in recent days, following a series of rocket attacks attributed to Hezbollah, a Shia Islamist group backed by Iran. The group has long been a thorn in the side of the Israeli government, and tensions between the two have been running high in recent months.
The sighting of Israeli jets over Mount Lebanon has sent a stark reminder of the fragile and volatile nature of the region, where tensions can quickly escalate into full-blown conflict. As diplomatic efforts continue to falter, Lebanon and Israel may find themselves at increased odds in the months to come, sparking fears of renewed violence and destabilization in the region.
In light of the recent developments, the Lebanese government has announced an emergency meeting of the country’s National Security Council, which is set to convene later today to discuss the implications of the overflight and the country’s next steps.