Israel escalates military operation in Lebanon against Hezbollah forces

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a directive instructing the military to intensify strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The order was announced in a video released on Telegram on Monday night. According to Netanyahu, Israel is at war with Hezbollah and will increase its military actions.

The announcement comes despite a recent extension of a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, which was reached last month. However, Netanyahu stated that Israel’s military would not reduce its efforts, instead increasing the intensity of strikes.

Following the announcement, the Israeli military launched attacks on Hezbollah infrastructure in several areas of Lebanon, including the Bekaa Valley and other regions. The National News Agency reported that these actions led to an exodus of people from the southern suburbs of Beirut, a major stronghold for Hezbollah.

The escalation occurred as Lebanon marked Liberation Day, commemorating the departure of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon after an 18-year occupation in 2000. Daily strikes on southern Lebanon had also been ongoing prior to the announcement.

According to reports, four people were killed and three injured in the town of Kfar Reman, in the Nabatieh district. Several strikes targeted residential buildings and a Shia Muslim community center in the city of Nabatieh, causing damage.

The Israeli military has reported that a soldier was killed by a drone strike during combat in southern Lebanon, while another soldier was severely injured and evacuated for medical treatment. The Ministry of Public Health stated that Israel has killed 3,185 people since entering open war with Hezbollah on March 2.

Two far-right ministers have called on Netanyahu to resume bombing Beirut in response to the threat posed by Hezbollah’s explosive drones. Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that a significant response is needed to address the drone threat, while Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir advocated for an “intense war” in Lebanon.

Source: Al Jazeera