Israeli Airstrikes Intensify in Lebanon, Targeting Hezbollah \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Israeli airstrikes have intensified across Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah and key infrastructure, including the main highway connecting Lebanon and Syria. The escalation follows Iran’s pledge of further missile strikes if provoked, while thousands of civilians are fleeing by foot. The conflict has spilled into multiple regions, with Israeli military operations now extending into Lebanon, the West Bank, and ongoing tensions with Iran.
Israeli Airstrikes and Escalations Quick Looks
- Lebanon Bombardment: Overnight Israeli airstrikes targeted Beirut suburbs and blocked the highway to Syria, causing a mass exodus.
- Iranian Response: Iran’s supreme leader praises recent missile strikes on Israel and threatens more if needed.
- Hezbollah Targeted: Israeli forces have attacked Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters, killing 100 fighters in the last 24 hours.
- West Bank Airstrike: A strike in the Tulkarem camp killed militants and civilians, increasing tensions in the occupied territory.
- U.S.-Israel Dynamics: President Biden expressed uncertainty regarding Netanyahu’s motivations and his influence on U.S. elections.
Deep Look
Relentless Israeli airstrikes struck Beirut’s southern suburbs overnight, severely damaging infrastructure and closing the main highway that links Lebanon to Syria. The roadblock forced fleeing civilians to cross into Syria by foot, amplifying the humanitarian crisis already unfolding across the region. These strikes come amid escalating regional tensions, as Iran, a key backer of anti-Israel militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah, issued threats of further retaliation against Israel if provoked.
Iran and Hezbollah’s Role in the Conflict
Iran’s supreme leader praised the country’s recent missile strike on Israel, delivered earlier this week, and vowed readiness to do it again if necessary. “If the Israeli entity takes any step or measure against us, our retaliation will be stronger than the previous one,” said Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during his visit to Beirut, where he met with Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Just three days before Araghchi’s comments, Iran launched at least 180 missiles into Israel, escalating a series of attacks that have increased fears of a regionwide conflict.
The escalation has been rapid. Hezbollah, Iran’s powerful ally in Lebanon, began launching rockets into northern Israel soon after Hamas carried out its surprise attack on October 7 of last year. That cross-border assault killed 1,200 Israelis and took 250 people hostage, triggering an ongoing war that has devastated Gaza and, more recently, extended into Lebanon. Since the conflict erupted, more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, with women and children making up more than half of the casualties.
In late September, Israel expanded its focus to include Hezbollah. With a mix of methods, including airstrikes, exploding pagers, and cross-border incursions, Israel has sought to weaken the militant group, which holds significant influence in southern Lebanon and parts of the country. Hezbollah’s weaponry is believed to be largely supplied by Iran, transported via Syria. This pipeline has made the highway linking Lebanon with Syria a critical target for Israeli strikes.
Israel’s Operations in Lebanon
In the latest round of military action, Israeli airstrikes have pounded Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters in the Beirut suburbs, according to Israeli officials. Although they did not specify how many militants were killed in those specific strikes, Israel claims to have killed 100 Hezbollah fighters within the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have also been focusing on Hezbollah supply routes, including targeting a crossing with Syria suspected of being used to transport weapons, as well as a smuggling tunnel.
The escalation has also led to extensive civilian displacement. Lebanese officials report that nearly 1.2 million people have fled their homes due to the intensified fighting, with many seeking refuge in Syria. In just the last two weeks, tens of thousands of people have crossed the border on foot, adding to the already dire humanitarian situation.
The Israeli military launched a ground incursion into Lebanon earlier this week, fighting Hezbollah militants along a narrow strip of territory close to the border. Israel has also issued evacuation warnings for communities in southern Lebanon, extending beyond the area designated as a buffer zone by the United Nations after the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. The increased fighting has taken its toll on both sides, with nine Israeli soldiers killed in Lebanon and two others losing their lives in a Thursday drone attack in northern Israel. That attack was claimed by the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq,” an umbrella group of Iranian-backed militias, which said it had carried out three drone strikes on Friday targeting northern Israel.
Among the significant losses for Hezbollah was the death of longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in a series of Israeli attacks leading up to the incursion. Nasrallah’s death is considered a major blow to Hezbollah, but the militant group has remained active, continuing to fire rockets into northern Israel and declaring solidarity with Hamas.
West Bank Airstrike: Civilian Casualties Rise
As the conflict with Hezbollah intensifies, Israel has also ramped up its operations in the West Bank. On Thursday, an Israeli airstrike targeted a cafe in the Tulkarem refugee camp, which officials said was being used by Palestinian militants. The strike resulted in the death of a family of four, including two young children, according to relatives. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported at least 18 deaths from the airstrike.
The Israeli military confirmed that the airstrike in Tulkarem killed several militants, including Hamas’ leader in the camp, who was reportedly involved in multiple attacks against Israeli civilians and was allegedly planning an assault on the anniversary of Hamas’ October 7 cross-border attack. The Tulkarem refugee camp is a known militant stronghold, and it has been frequently targeted by the Israeli military.
Airstrikes in the West Bank used to be a rarity, but they have grown more common as Israeli forces attempt to clamp down on militants and prevent further attacks against Israeli citizens. Since the conflict began on October 7, Israeli fire has killed at least 722 Palestinians in the West Bank, according to Palestinian health officials. During this time, Palestinian militants have launched numerous attacks on Israeli soldiers stationed at checkpoints and other locations within Israel.
Rising Tensions with Iran
Tensions with Iran remain high, with the country’s supreme leadership warning of harsher retaliation if provoked by Israel. Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Beirut this week underscored Iran’s direct involvement in the region’s escalating conflict. The missile strikes launched by Iran earlier in the week were a clear message, adding to fears that the Middle East is edging closer to a full-scale war. The visit also highlighted Iran’s backing of Hezbollah, a key player in Lebanon that has become increasingly active in the conflict against Israel.
Iranian hackers have also been involved in attacks against Trump’s campaign, with reports suggesting they broke into the email accounts of campaign officials, seeking to influence narratives and stir unrest. This has further complicated the already volatile relationship between the U.S. and Iran, and added an international layer to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
Biden on Netanyahu and Middle East Peace
President Joe Biden, whose relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has grown increasingly strained, was asked Friday whether he believed Netanyahu was intentionally stalling a peace agreement to influence the outcome of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Biden avoided a direct answer, but he reiterated his longstanding support for Israel. “No administration has helped Israel more than I have. None. None. None. And I think Bibi should remember that,” Biden said, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.
The comments followed an earlier statement by Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, a Biden ally, suggesting that some of Netanyahu’s actions could be tied to the upcoming American election. “I don’t think you have to be a hopeless cynic to read some of Israel’s actions, some of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s actions, as connected to the American election,” Murphy said in a CNN interview. A successful Middle East peace deal could help Biden bridge divides within the Democratic Party, while also bolstering electoral support for Vice President Kamala Harris. Conversely, Netanyahu fears backlash from his far-right coalition if he moves forward with an agreement, potentially threatening his position and exacerbating his own legal troubles.
Netanyahu has enjoyed a markedly closer relationship with former President Donald Trump than with Biden, a fact that has contributed to ongoing tensions between the current U.S. administration and Israel. This relationship dynamic has added a layer of political complexity to the unfolding crisis, as both nations navigate their internal politics amid a broader regional conflict.
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