Beirut, Lebanon - The Israeli military has unleashed a wave of intensive airstrikes targeting Hezbollah facilities and infrastructure across Lebanon, in what appears to be a major escalation of the conflict between the two sides.
According to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit, the strikes are aimed at degrading Hezbollah's ability to carry out terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians. The military said its fighter jets have struck over 30 Hezbollah targets in the Dahieh neighborhood of Beirut in recent days, including command centers, weapons storage facilities, and naval missile units.
"These strikes continue the significant attacks the IDF has carried out against the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the Dahieh area," the IDF said in a statement. "All the targets attacked were deliberately placed by Hezbollah in the middle of the civilian population, another example of the cynical use of Lebanese civilians as human shields."
The IDF said precautions were taken to minimize the risk of civilian casualties, including early intelligence gathering, surveillance, and advance warnings to evacuate the targeted areas. However, reports from Lebanese media indicate that the strikes have resulted in casualties, with the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen network reporting killed and wounded in the attacks.
The latest round of violence was sparked after an IDF soldier was seriously injured by an anti-tank missile in the Golan Heights, while a reserve soldier was also seriously hurt in clashes in central Gaza. In response, the IDF carried out airstrikes on what it said were Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.
Tensions had already been high following several recent incidents, including the killing of a senior Hezbollah commander, Ahmad Zbahili Hazima, who was targeted and eliminated by Israeli forces.
Defense Minister Israel Katz met with the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Haines-Plaschaert, and emphasized that Israel will not compromise on the security of its northern residents. He warned that the government will show "zero tolerance for violations" and act decisively to defend its citizens from any threat.
The latest flare-up comes as efforts are underway to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. However, the intense exchange of strikes has raised fears that the conflict could spiral out of control, potentially drawing in other regional actors and destabilizing the fragile situation in Lebanon.
