Israel’s military announced on Tuesday that it has expanded its ground operations in southwest Lebanon, intensifying its efforts against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group. The move comes a year after exchanges of fire between the two sides began, escalating further after Hamas's attack on southern Israel sparked wider regional conflict. Despite repeated calls from the United Nations for diplomacy, the situation continues to deteriorate.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the latest operations are "localized and targeted," aimed at eliminating Hezbollah positions along the border, where fighters have become deeply entrenched. This follows similar actions in Lebanon’s southeast border areas over the past weeks. According to the IDF, these operations are part of a broader strategy to secure Israel’s northern border.
In a major development, Israel reported the killing of Suhail Hussein Husseini, a senior Hezbollah official responsible for budgeting and logistics. If confirmed, this would mark a significant blow to Hezbollah leadership, following Israel’s assassination of its leader Hassan Nasrallah last month. Nasrallah’s death, in an airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs, was the biggest loss to Hezbollah in decades.
Overnight, Israeli airstrikes also targeted Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut, with the IDF aiming to dismantle the group’s infrastructure. In response, Iran has issued warnings, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stating that any attack on Iranian facilities would be met with retaliation. Araqchi is set to visit Saudi Arabia and other regional powers to discuss the situation and prevent further Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
The conflict has raised alarm over the possibility of U.S. and Iranian involvement, with experts warning of a potential full-blown regional war. The Biden administration has not ruled out military action, but President Joe Biden emphasized the need for caution, signaling that Israel may explore alternatives to striking Iranian oil facilities in retaliation for last week’s missile attacks by Tehran.
The United Nations, in a joint statement by its Special Coordinator for Lebanon and the head of its peacekeeping mission, expressed frustration at the lack of restraint by both sides. "The humanitarian impact is nothing short of catastrophic," the statement read, highlighting the displacement of 1.2 million Lebanese and the death toll of around 2,000 civilians since the conflict reignited a year ago.
With Israeli forces expanding their ground operations, warnings have been issued to beachgoers and boat users along the Lebanese coast as naval actions against Hezbollah are set to begin. The IDF has clarified that, for now, the operations are focused on securing border areas, with no immediate plans to advance deeper into Lebanon. However, as the situation escalates, both Israel and Hezbollah show little sign of backing down, leaving the region on edge as the conflict continues to evolve.