Israeli Strikes Target Southern Lebanon Amid Rising Tensions with Hezbollah

 Beirut/Jerusalem,  – Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire struck southern Lebanon on Saturday after rockets were launched from across the border. The escalation, which has resulted in at least eight fatalities, threatens the fragile truce that ended a year-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

The latest hostilities mark the most significant spillover of the Gaza war, following months of cross-border clashes. In response, Israel has eliminated top Hezbollah commanders, neutralized numerous fighters, and significantly degraded the group's arsenal.

Hezbollah Denies Responsibility

Despite the attacks, Hezbollah has denied involvement in the rocket launches, stating it had "no link" to the strikes and remained committed to the ceasefire. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack on Israel.

An Israeli official stated that the identity of the group responsible for the rocket fire remained unconfirmed. According to the official, six rockets were fired—three of which crossed into Israeli territory before being intercepted.

Casualties and Retaliation

Israel launched two waves of strikes, targeting areas including Bint Jbeil, Touline, and the port city of Tyre. According to Lebanon's state news agency, citing health authorities, the strikes resulted in the deaths of three people in Bint Jbeil and Touline and five in Tyre.

Following the initial attack, the Israeli military launched a second round of strikes, claiming to have hit Hezbollah rocket launchers and a command center in southern Lebanon.

Netanyahu Orders 'Forceful' Response

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the military to "act forcefully against dozens of terror targets in Lebanon."

His foreign policy adviser, Ophir Falk, reinforced Israel’s stance, stating, "We expect Lebanon to take care of its part of the agreement. The IDF will do whatever it takes to enforce the ceasefire and to make sure that our civilians can get back home safely and securely."

Lebanese authorities confirmed that Israeli airstrikes and artillery barrages targeted border towns and hilltops up to eight kilometers inside Lebanese territory. There were no reports of casualties in Israel.

Violence Spreads to Gaza

Meanwhile, in Gaza, Palestinian health officials reported that five people, including a child, were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Beit Lahiya and Gaza City. The Israeli military stated that it had targeted militants in a vehicle who posed a threat to its troops in northern Gaza.

Additionally, an airstrike in Rafah, near the Egyptian border, killed two Palestinians, according to Gazan medics. The Israeli military said it had struck militants operating in the area.

UN Raises Alarm Over Ceasefire Violations

Under the November ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah was supposed to disarm in southern Lebanon, Israeli ground troops were to withdraw, and the Lebanese army was to deploy in the region. However, both Israel and Hezbollah have accused each other of failing to comply with the deal.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has instructed the army to secure violations that could destabilize the region. In response, the army dismantled three primitive rocket launchers in the south.

Netanyahu, however, insisted that Israel holds the Lebanese government responsible for "everything taking place within its territory," warning that Israel would not tolerate threats to its citizens or sovereignty.

The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon expressed concern over the volatile situation, cautioning that further escalation could have serious regional consequences.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also warned of a potential resurgence of hostilities, stating, "All security and military measures must be taken to show that Lebanon decides on matters of war and peace."

The ceasefire, which initially halted Israeli ground operations in Lebanon and daily Hezbollah rocket attacks on Israel, now stands on the brink of collapse. With both sides blaming each other, the risk of a wider regional conflict looms large.

Reporting by Maya Gebeily in Beirut and Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem; additional reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi, Menna Alaa El Din, Jaidaa Taha, and Enas Alashray in Cairo. Edited by Tom Hogue, Mark Heinrich, Timothy Heritage, and Emelia Sithole-Matarise.