Israel has launched attacks on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon following a rocket barrage into Israeli territory for the first time since a ceasefire was implemented in November. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to target “dozens of terror sites in Lebanon.”
On Saturday morning, three rockets fired from Lebanon were intercepted in the Israeli town of Metula. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. No group has claimed responsibility for the rockets, and Lebanon’s Prime Minister has cautioned against escalating into another war.
The ceasefire, which ended 14 months of intense conflict between Israel and Hezbollah—an Iranian-backed militant group—has remained fragile. Despite this, Israel has continued daily air strikes targeting Hezbollah, aiming to prevent the group from rearming. In return, Israel’s military presence in southern Lebanon remains a contentious issue, with Lebanon accusing Israel of violating its sovereignty.
The UN peacekeeping mission, Unifil, has expressed concern over potential further escalation and urged both nations to uphold their ceasefire commitments. The situation is putting additional strain on Lebanon’s government, as the country faces mounting pressure to disarm Hezbollah.
Hezbollah, which launched its campaign in October 2023 in support of Palestinians, has yet to respond to Israel’s latest actions. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s President has reiterated that only the state should control weapons within the country, signaling growing international concern over Hezbollah’s power and influence.
