Israel expanded its military operations in Lebanon on Monday, targeting Hezbollah militants and killing at least 21 people in an airstrike in the northern town of Aitou. The strike, which hit a house rented by displaced families, also left eight people injured, according to Lebanese health officials. Rescue workers searched through the rubble and burned debris, while the Lebanese Red Cross confirmed the casualties. This attack marks a significant escalation, as Israeli military efforts had previously been concentrated in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and the suburbs of Beirut.
The situation along the Israel-Lebanon border remains tense, with millions of Israelis taking shelter as Hezbollah retaliated by firing projectiles into Israel. The Israeli military reported that approximately 115 rockets were launched from Lebanon on Monday, three of which were intercepted. No injuries were reported on the Israeli side, but the region remains on high alert. Residents of 25 villages in southern Lebanon were ordered to evacuate to safer areas north of the Awali River, further displacing local populations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue strikes on Hezbollah, stating that Israel would act “without mercy” across Lebanon, including in Beirut. His remarks came as he visited a military base where four Israeli soldiers were killed by a Hezbollah drone strike the previous day. Netanyahu’s comments underline the growing intensity of the conflict, which has seen Hezbollah’s active involvement since the group began firing rockets into Israel a year ago in support of Hamas during the Gaza war.
The United Nations has voiced strong concerns about the escalating violence. On Monday, the U.N. Security Council condemned the attacks that damaged peacekeeping positions in southern Lebanon. The council expressed alarm at the growing tensions between Israeli forces and Hezbollah near these positions, warning that the safety of U.N. personnel in the region was at risk. Incidents involving Israeli troops and U.N. peacekeepers have compounded fears of broader conflict, as Hezbollah has continued to strike at Israeli military targets.
The potential for further regional escalation remains high, with reports emerging that Israel has communicated to the United States its intention to limit any strikes on Iran to military rather than civilian or nuclear targets. This decision could reflect Israel’s desire to avoid triggering a wider war, although Prime Minister Netanyahu has made it clear that Israel will ultimately act according to its own national interests, regardless of external pressure.
As the violence escalates, the U.S. embassy in Lebanon issued a stark warning, urging American citizens to leave the country immediately. The embassy noted that the additional flights laid on by the U.S. government to facilitate the departure of its citizens since September would not continue indefinitely. Australia also warned its citizens not to travel to Israel, advising those already in the country to leave while commercial flights are still available.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has re-ignited after a year of sporadic exchanges, fueled by the ongoing Gaza war. Hezbollah’s role in supporting Hamas has further complicated the regional landscape, raising fears of a broader confrontation. Israel’s efforts to contain Hezbollah’s military capabilities have included strikes across Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah’s command posts, rocket launchers, and tunnel networks.
For civilians in both Israel and Lebanon, the escalation has been devastating. In northern Israel, communities remain on high alert, while in Lebanon, hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced, adding to the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. With no clear end in sight, the international community is closely monitoring developments, fearing that the conflict could spiral into a wider regional war.
