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Israel greenlights intensified strikes on Hezbollah
The Israeli military has authorized plans to escalate ground and air assaults against Hezbollah, raising concerns in Lebanon of an imminent large-scale invasion. The move follows weeks of heightened hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border.
Humanitarian crisis deepens in Lebanon
The Lebanese health ministry reports over 1,000 deaths since the latest surge in violence, including 118 children and 40 healthcare workers. More than one million people have fled their homes, sparking warnings of a severe humanitarian emergency.
Israeli military outlines objectives
On Sunday, Israeli Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir approved operational plans for "prolonged" strikes and targeted ground maneuvers against Hezbollah. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated forces were ordered to destroy crossings over the Litani River, used by Hezbollah for reinforcements.
An Israeli airstrike later damaged the Qasmiye Bridge near Tyre, a key route connecting southern Lebanon to central regions. The Litani River lies approximately 30 km (19 miles) from the Israel-Lebanon border.
Lebanon fears isolation of southern regions
Lebanese officials warn Israel may be preparing to sever southern Lebanon-Hezbollah's stronghold-from the rest of the country. President Joseph Aoun condemned the strikes as "collective punishment" and a potential precursor to a ground invasion, accusing Israel of pursuing territorial expansion.
"These attacks could be part of suspicious schemes to extend Israel's presence in Lebanese territory," Aoun said.
Tactics mirror Gaza operations
Katz revealed Israeli forces were instructed to demolish homes in border villages to neutralize threats, echoing tactics used in Gaza. The military previously razed buildings and enforced evacuations to establish security zones during its campaign against Hamas.
The Gaza war erupted after Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Israel's subsequent offensive has killed over 71,000 in Gaza, per local health authorities, despite a five-month-old ceasefire.
Decades-old conflict reignites
The latest clashes began after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and ongoing Israeli strikes on Lebanon. A November 2024 ceasefire failed to halt near-daily exchanges.
Lebanon's government has pledged to disarm Hezbollah, formed in the 1980s during Israel's occupation of Lebanon. However, the group has resisted discussions on relinquishing its weapons, while President Aoun has ruled out force, citing risks of sectarian strife.
