In a rapid and extensive airstrike, the Israeli military announced that it had targeted more than 120 Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon within just one hour. The strikes, which took place on Monday, primarily focused on Hezbollah’s elite Radwan forces, along with other units, as tensions between Israel and the militant group escalate.
The operation comes amid broader conflicts in the region, with Israel also fending off threats from Hamas and intercepting a missile launched from Yemen. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has become a major focus of Israel’s military strategy, particularly after Hamas’s deadly attacks on October 7, 2023, which marked the deadliest day in Israel’s history. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that the ongoing wars against both Hezbollah and Hamas are essential to ensuring such violence “never again” occurs.
As the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) ramp up their operations, Netanyahu emphasized the necessity of these actions to safeguard the future of Israel and to ensure the safe return of thousands of Israeli citizens displaced by Hezbollah fire. In response to the intensified attacks, Hezbollah retaliated with a barrage of over 135 projectiles, while Israel countered with further strikes in southern Lebanon.
The conflict has drawn international attention, with Pope Francis condemning the global community’s inability to resolve the crisis, while European Union officials warned that the situation could spiral out of control.
Israel’s military has increased its deployments near the Lebanon border, indicating that operations against Hezbollah may further escalate. Meanwhile, Hamas, through its spokesperson, declared that it intends to wage a long war of attrition, adding to the already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The UN described Gaza as a “graveyard,” as ongoing strikes have devastated the area, leaving its population in a continuous state of displacement.
The war, ignited by Hamas’s attacks in 2023, shows no signs of abating, with both Israel and its adversaries digging in for a prolonged conflict.