The Israeli Air Force has launched strikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon following cross-border rocket fire, marking the most intense escalation since a ceasefire had brought relative calm to the region.
Eyewitnesses in southern Lebanon described the attacks as widespread and severe, while Lebanese state media reported that at least two people, including a child, lost their lives in the strikes.
For 13 months, Israel and Hezbollah engaged in cross-border hostilities following the Gaza conflict.
This culminated in a fierce Israeli ground and aerial campaign last September, which significantly weakened the leadership of the Iran-backed militant group.
The latest Israeli offensive was preceded by artillery and tank shelling inside Lebanon after the Israeli military detected five projectiles fired toward its territory.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), three were intercepted, while two landed within Lebanon’s borders.
Denying any involvement in the attack, Hezbollah reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire and accused Israel of using the rocket fire as an excuse for aggression against Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to strike “dozens of terror targets,” emphasizing that Israel would not tolerate threats to its sovereignty.
“Israel will not allow any harm to its citizens or its sovereignty,” Netanyahu declared.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese military reported discovering and dismantling “three primitive rocket launchers in the area north of the Litani River” as part of its ongoing investigation into the attack. However, the identity of those responsible for launching the rockets remains unclear.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon expressed concern over the renewed violence, urging all sides to uphold their commitments to peace.
“We strongly urge all parties to avoid jeopardizing the progress made, especially when civilian lives and the fragile stability observed in recent months are at risk,” the peacekeeping force stated. “Any further escalation of this volatile situation could have serious consequences for the region.”
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, pointed fingers at the Lebanese government for failing to prevent cross-border attacks, vowing that Israel would retaliate.
“We promised security to the Galilee communities – and that is exactly what will happen,” Katz said.
Lebanon’s presidency condemned any attempts to reignite violence, with President Joseph Aoun instructing the army to safeguard citizens and thoroughly investigate the incident.
Despite agreeing to a ceasefire last November, Israel continues to maintain a military presence at five locations in southern Lebanon.
The deal had initially led to a sharp decline in hostilities following over a year of intense cross-border exchanges.
The last time Israel accused Hezbollah of launching projectiles was in December. This latest northern escalation follows Israel’s recent resumption of military operations in Gaza, which ended a fragile truce that had held since January.
