Israel carried out heavy airstrikes in south Lebanon, prompting Hezbollah to retaliate with explosive drones and powerful rockets targeting Israeli locations on Wednesday. The escalation comes after seven months of hostilities in the border region.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant stated that the mission in Israel’s north against Hezbollah has not been completed, emphasizing the safe return of evacuated residents to their homes. He warned of a potentially “hot summer” alluding to a possible expansion of hostilities along the northern border with Lebanon.
The Israeli attacks resulted in the death of three individuals in Lebanon, according to security sources. The ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the frontier, raising concerns of a larger war between the heavily armed adversaries.
The Israeli military confirmed targeting military structures and infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah in three locations in south Lebanon, with more than 20 strikes on Hezbollah targets in the Ramyeh area. In response, Hezbollah launched explosive drones at an Israeli military headquarters and fired powerful Burkan rockets at a barracks in Biranit.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported Israeli strikes on 28 towns and villages in south Lebanon, a Hezbollah stronghold. The Israeli military identified secondary explosions during the attack, indicating the presence of weapons storage facilities in the area.
The displacement of thousands of residents on both sides has led to calls for firmer military action against Hezbollah in Israel. The United States and France are actively seeking to defuse the conflict through diplomacy amidst the escalating tensions.