In a significant escalation of hostilities, Israel has conducted its most intense air strikes on Lebanon in nearly four months. This military action follows the launch of several rockets from Lebanon into Israeli territory, marking the first such incident since a ceasefire was established in November.
The Israeli Defense Forces reported that they targeted and struck numerous rocket launchers and a command center associated with Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant and political organization based in southern Lebanon. In the wake of these strikes, Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed that two individuals, including a child, lost their lives, with eight others sustaining injuries.
Rocket attack and military response
Despite these developments, Hezbollah has denied any involvement in the recent rocket attacks against Israel. The Lebanese government has initiated an investigation into the incident, which occurred just days after Israel intensified its operations against Hamas, a key ally of Hezbollah, in Gaza.
On the same day of the attack, the Israeli military intercepted three rockets that were aimed at the northern town of Metula, fortunately resulting in no reported casualties. Meanwhile, the Lebanese military dismantled “three primitive rocket launchers” in the southern region, emphasizing its commitment to securing the area.
Ongoing tensions and international implications
Hezbollah, which remains the principal armed group operating within Lebanon, reiterated its adherence to the ceasefire that concluded 14 months of conflict. This latest outbreak of violence represents the most severe breach of the fragile truce brokered by the United States and France.
The ceasefire agreement mandated the deployment of thousands of Lebanese soldiers in the south to prevent armed groups from attacking Israel, while Hezbollah was to withdraw its fighters and weaponry. In contrast, Israel has conducted nearly daily air strikes targeting what it claims are Hezbollah installations, suggesting a continued threat that warrants its military presence.
The Israeli military is still stationed at five locations within southern Lebanon, an action the Lebanese government deems a violation of its sovereignty and an infringement of the ceasefire terms. Israel argues that the Lebanese military has not fully assumed control over these areas, asserting that its presence is necessary for the security of communities along the border.
The recent rocket assault may further strain the Lebanese government, potentially serving as evidence of its inability to maintain order in regions where Hezbollah retains significant influence and support. President Joseph Aoun, who assumed office in January, has publicly stated that only the state should possess arms, a clear reference to Hezbollah’s extensive arsenal. He condemned the “attempts to drag Lebanon into a cycle of violence,” while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam expressed concerns that the escalation could lead to renewed warfare.
The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon, known as Unifil, has expressed alarm over the potential for escalating violence, urging both Israel and Lebanon to adhere to their commitments under the ceasefire agreement.
Hezbollah, having suffered substantial losses during its conflict with Israel—including the assassination of several leaders and the destruction of much of its military capabilities—now faces the daunting task of providing financial assistance to communities impacted by the war, amid increasing pressure from opponents to disarm.
International partners of Lebanon have underscored that assistance will depend on the government’s ability to rein in Hezbollah, which remains a dominant force within the country. The group initially escalated its operations in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip following the Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. This led to a significant Israeli military response that resulted in approximately 4,000 casualties in Lebanon, including many civilians, and displaced over 1.2 million residents. Israel’s objectives in its campaign against Hezbollah included facilitating the return of around 60,000 displaced individuals from northern communities and eliminating the group’s presence along the border.