Beirut/Tel Aviv – Tensions in the Middle East escalated on Thursday as Israel accused Hezbollah of launching approximately 230 projectiles from Lebanon into Israeli territory. Lebanese militant group claimed responsibility for a series of 32 attacks, which included rocket salvos targeting Israeli military bases and settlements, as well as strikes on Israeli soldiers engaged in ground operations near the Lebanese border.
The exchange comes as part of a broader conflict that has seen hostilities rise sharply between Israel and Iran-backed groups across the region. Hezbollah’s attacks on Thursday were not an isolated incident, as Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group for several Iranian-backed militias, also claimed responsibility for a drone strike in southern Israel. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the drone was intercepted without causing injuries.
In response, the Israeli military intensified its aerial campaign against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. Israeli jets targeted approximately 200 Hezbollah sites overnight, striking infrastructure, weapons depots, and observation posts across the country. IDF also confirmed conducting multiple airstrikes in southern Beirut, where Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters was reportedly targeted. Se strikes, part of Israel’s broader effort to degrade Hezbollah’s military capabilities, resulted in at least 37 deaths and 151 injuries, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
Scale of Escalation
Military analysts describe the intensity of Israel’s aerial campaign in Lebanon as comparable to the initial weeks of last year’s Gaza conflict. IDF’s strikes have forced over a million people to flee their homes, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, with humanitarian organizations warning that shelters are now overflowing.
Ground clashes also intensified, with Hezbollah claiming to have repelled an Israeli ground incursion along the border by firing artillery at advancing soldiers. As a precaution, the Israeli government has issued evacuation orders for 76 villages in southern Lebanon, a sign of the growing risk of full-scale ground operations.
Impact of Hezbollah and Iran’s Role
Iran’s role in conflict remains a critical factor. Israeli and U.S. officials are reportedly engaged in ongoing discussions on how to respond to Tehran’s latest moves, which included a ballistic missile attack on southern Israel earlier this week. Despite the heightened rhetoric, U.S. President Joe Biden stated that no immediate decision had been made about striking Iran’s oil reserves, a move that could significantly destabilize the region further.
Iranian missile strikes on Tuesday caused significant damage to Israeli airbases in the Negev Desert, with satellite imagery showing multiple craters and destroyed buildings at Nevatim Air Base, which houses Israel’s largest fleet of military aircraft.
West Bank Violence Intensifies
Meanwhile, violence is also surging in the West Bank. At least 18 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tulkarem refugee camp late Thursday, including Zahi Yaser Abd al-Razeq Oufi, a senior Hamas operative. IDF alleged that Oufi had masterminded several attacks on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Hamas condemned the strike, but it did not confirm Oufi’s death.
International Response and Diplomatic Concerns
escalation in Lebanon and occupied territories has drawn sharp criticism from international bodies, with the Lebanese government calling on the United Nations to intervene and halt Israeli airstrikes. In response, Israeli military officials, including IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, have reaffirmed our commitment to continuing operations against Hezbollah in Beirut, Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon.
Halevi described Hezbollah’s military infrastructure near the Israeli border as a critical threat, stating, “We are determined to destroy Hezbollah’s terrorist network, which has embedded itself near civilian communities, posing an immediate risk to Israeli lives.”
The United States has reiterated its support for Israel’s right to defend itself but has also urged restraint, particularly in avoiding civilian casualties. State Department spokesperson Matt Miller emphasized the need for a diplomatic resolution while supporting Israel’s efforts to weaken Hezbollah’s military capabilities. “We support Israel’s right to self-defense, but we are also closely watching to ensure actions remain proportionate,” Miller said during a press briefing.
Outlook and Uncertainty
As Israel continues its military operations against Hezbollah, broader geopolitical implications of conflict remain uncertain. With ongoing evacuations in southern Lebanon and the continued risk of ground incursions, the potential for a wider regional war looms large. Both Israeli and American officials have signaled that discussions on how to respond to Iran’s increasing involvement are ongoing, though no definitive decisions have been made.
The humanitarian cost of conflict is rising, with displaced civilians in Lebanon, Gaza, and the West Bank facing dire conditions as hostilities show no sign of abating. For now, the region waits as the next phase of conflict continues to unfold.
