Israel Launches Fresh Airstrikes Across Lebanon Amid Escalating Hezbollah Conflict

The Israeli military says it has launched a new wave of airstrikes across Lebanon after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to intensify attacks against Hezbollah.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the strikes targeted Hezbollah positions in the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon as well as other areas across the country.

In a video statement released Monday evening, Netanyahu declared that Israel was “at war with Hezbollah” and said he had instructed the military to “deal them a crushing blow.”

Earlier this month, Lebanon and Israel agreed to extend a 45-day ceasefire, although clashes between the two sides have continued despite the agreement.

The latest attacks have raised fears that Israeli operations could expand further and possibly reach the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

Netanyahu claimed that Israel’s military campaign against Hezbollah had already “eliminated more than 600 terrorists,” adding that the situation now required increased strikes and greater military intensity.

Since the ceasefire agreement signed on April 16, most Israeli attacks had been concentrated in southern Lebanon, where Israeli troops remain stationed. Israel says rockets and drones have continued to be launched from the area.The Bekaa Valley, targeted on Monday night, is located in eastern Lebanon near the border with Syria.

The widening of Israel’s military campaign came as Iran insisted that any developing peace agreement with the United States must include a complete ceasefire across all fronts involved in the regional conflict.

Israel has opposed ending its military operations against Hezbollah. Since the first ceasefire agreement was reached, 10 Israeli soldiers have reportedly been killed, while more than 400 people in Lebanon have died in Israeli bombardments, including paramedics and emergency workers.

Israel has also continued issuing evacuation orders to residents in several southern Lebanese areas, worsening a displacement crisis that has already forced more than one million people from their homes.

Lebanon became more deeply involved in the conflict after the US and Israel launched military action against Iran on February 28. Hezbollah, a close ally of Iran, responded by firing rockets into Israel following an Israeli strike that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Israel later responded with widespread airstrikes and a ground invasion in Lebanon. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, more than 3,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks.

The Lebanese government says it is working toward disarming Hezbollah but insists that a lasting ceasefire is necessary to complete the process.