Israel to Expand Strikes on Hezbollah as Lebanon Ceasefire Frays

by Fatima Abass

Link to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will increase the intensity of its campaign against Hezbollah, as the Israeli military launches new strikes across Lebanon and the Iran-backed group responds with drone and rocket attacksPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will increase the intensity of its campaign against Hezbollah, as the Israeli military launches new strikes across Lebanon and the Iran-backed group responds with drone and rocket attacks

israele Israel has announced a new escalation in its military campaign against Hezbollah, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying the group must be dealt a “crushing blow”.

The Israeli military said it had begun a wave of strikes across Lebanon, including in the Bekaa Valley in the east of the country and in other areas. The move marks a widening of operations beyond southern Lebanon, where most Israeli attacks have been concentrated since a ceasefire was agreed in April.

In a video statement on Monday evening, Netanyahu said Israel was “at war with Hezbollah” and had instructed the military to intensify its operations. He said the campaign had already killed more than 600 Hezbollah fighters, but argued that stronger action was now required.

“What this requires of us now is to increase the strikes, to increase the intensity,” he said.

Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shia Muslim armed group based in Lebanon, said it had responded with 22 drone and rocket attacks. The group said its targets included Israeli soldiers, tanks, barracks and military buildings, describing the strikes as retaliation for what it called Israel’s violation of the ceasefire.

Lebanon and Israel agreed earlier this month to extend a 45-day ceasefire, though fighting has continued. The two countries do not have formal diplomatic relations, but officials from both sides are expected to hold further talks in Washington next week.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called for a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces remain present. Israel says the area continues to be used to launch rockets and drones into its territory.

The latest Israeli strikes in the Bekaa Valley are significant because the region lies in eastern Lebanon, close to the Syrian border, and is well beyond the main southern front. The expansion of operations comes as far-right Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir press for a broader campaign, including strikes on Beirut.

The escalation also comes against the backdrop of wider regional tensions. Iran has said any emerging peace deal with the United States should include a full ceasefire across all fronts of the conflict. Israel, however, has opposed ending its campaign against Hezbollah.

Since the ceasefire was first agreed on 16 April, ten Israeli soldiers have been killed. In Lebanon, more than 400 people have died in Israeli bombardments during the same period, including paramedics and emergency workers.

Israel has also issued near-daily evacuation orders for communities in southern Lebanon, adding to a displacement crisis that has already forced more than one million people from their homes.

Lebanon was pulled deeper into the conflict after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on 28 February. Hezbollah, a key Iranian ally, fired rockets into Israel after an Israeli attack killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Israel responded with extensive air strikes across Lebanon and a ground operation. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, more than 3,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since the start of that campaign.

The Lebanese government has said it is working to disarm Hezbollah, but argues that a ceasefire is essential to carry out what it describes as a highly complex political and security process.

L'articolo Israel to Expand Strikes on Hezbollah as Lebanon Ceasefire Frays proviene da Associated Medias.