Israeli Airstrikes Intensify in Southern Lebanon as Tensions Rise with Hezbollah
Beirut, Lebanon – Israeli jets escalated airstrikes across southern Lebanon today, targeting areas linked to Hezbollah, amid ongoing cross-border fire and stalled negotiations to de-escalate tensions. The strikes represent a important increase in intensity following months of low-level exchanges that began in support of Hamas following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and escalated into full-scale conflict in September 2024.
The conflict stems from Hezbollah’s rocket fire into northern Israel in solidarity with Hamas and Palestinians, prompting retaliatory Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling. While a ceasefire nominally took effect last November, both sides accuse each other of violations.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has condemned Israel’s strikes and the continued occupation of five hilltop points on Lebanese territory, but has indicated a willingness to negotiate a resolution. Though, the Lebanese government, wich officially supports disarming Hezbollah, asserts that Israeli strikes have targeted civilians and infrastructure unrelated to the Iran-backed group. Israel maintains its strikes target Hezbollah officials and military infrastructure.
Hezbollah’s military capabilities were significantly damaged during intense Israeli air campaigns in 2024, but the group’s leader, Sheikh Naim Kassem, has vowed to continue fighting regardless of limitations.
According to Lebanon’s health ministry, over 270 people have been killed and approximately 850 wounded by Israeli military actions since the ceasefire began. The U.N. human rights office has verified 107 of those fatalities as civilians or noncombatants, as of October 9, according to spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan. No Israelis have been killed by fire from Lebanon since the ceasefire, with Hezbollah claiming responsibility for only one attack since the agreement.
The U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions Thursday targeting financial operatives facilitating the transfer of funds from Iran to Hezbollah, alleging the use of money exchange shops to launder illicit money within Lebanon’s cash-based economy.