The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has expanded further, with Israeli airstrikes targeting areas in northern Lebanon. On Monday, an airstrike hit the Christian-majority town of Aitou, killing at least 18 people, according to the Lebanese Red Cross. The attack struck a house that had been rented to displaced families, resulting in multiple casualties and injuries. Aitou’s mayor, Joseph Trad, confirmed the devastating impact on civilians, marking a significant escalation in Israeli operations beyond their usual focus in southern Lebanon and other areas like the Bekaa Valley and Beirut’s suburbs.
Israel also claimed responsibility for killing Muhammad Kamel Naim, the commander of Hezbollah’s anti-tank missile unit, in the Nabatieh region of southern Lebanon. While Hezbollah has not yet commented on the incident, this development highlights the continued Israeli push to dismantle Hezbollah’s military capabilities in the region. The Israeli military’s actions coincide with rising tensions between Israel and the U.N. peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, stationed in southern Lebanon. Israeli officials have accused UNIFIL of providing cover for Hezbollah, an allegation denied by both Hezbollah and the U.N.
The Israeli military’s push through southern Lebanon has led to growing friction with UNIFIL, with allegations surfacing that Israeli tanks recently entered a U.N. base. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the withdrawal of U.N. peacekeepers from the region, accusing them of shielding Hezbollah. The United Nations disputes Israel’s account, and tensions continue to mount as both sides trade accusations over the role of peacekeeping forces in the conflict.
As the situation escalates in Lebanon, the entire Middle East is on edge, anticipating potential Israeli retaliation against Iran. This follows an October 1 barrage of long-range missiles fired by Iran in response to Israeli military operations in Lebanon. In response to these heightened tensions, the U.S. announced plans to send additional troops and advanced anti-missile systems to Israel, further indicating the seriousness of the situation.
In parallel, the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon has strongly urged American citizens to leave the country, citing the increasing danger. While additional flights have been made available for U.S. citizens to evacuate since September, the embassy warned that these flights will not continue indefinitely. This adds a layer of urgency to the escalating conflict, as foreign governments prepare for further instability.
On the ground, Israeli military officials have taken foreign journalists to view Hezbollah tunnels in southern Lebanon, some of which are located mere meters from U.N. peacekeeping positions. Israeli Brigadier General Yiftach Norkin explained that these tunnels, built years ago, form a significant part of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, underscoring the extent of the militant group’s preparations in the region.
Israel’s military claims to have destroyed numerous Hezbollah tunnel shafts, rocket launchers, and command posts since the start of its ground operations in southern Lebanon. The Hezbollah tunnel network is vast, with tunnels extending for hundreds of kilometers, providing a strategic advantage to the militant group. A Hezbollah field commander described the tunnels as the “foundation of the battle,” highlighting their critical role in the conflict.
As the conflict rages on, concerns about the violations of international law are mounting. UNIFIL’s ability to monitor these violations has been severely limited by Israeli attacks, and U.N. sources fear that oversight of the conflict will become increasingly difficult. This has prompted sharp criticism from international bodies, including the European Union.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemned Israeli attacks on UNIFIL soldiers as “completely unacceptable,” and Spain has called on EU member states to suspend the bloc’s free trade agreement with Israel in response to its actions in Lebanon and Gaza. With thousands of EU troops participating in the 10,000-strong peacekeeping mission, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah threatens to strain relations between Israel and its European allies.
The conflict, which reignited a year ago when Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel in support of Hamas, has escalated significantly in recent weeks. As Israel continues its operations in Lebanon, it says its primary goal is to secure the return of tens of thousands of displaced Israelis who fled their homes in northern Israel due to the ongoing fighting. However, with the conflict showing no signs of abating, the humanitarian toll on both sides continues to rise.
