Israel has carried out intense airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon, sharply escalating tensions as an international deadline approaches for measures aimed at disarming Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group. The strikes, described by Lebanese officials as some of the heaviest in recent weeks, have raised fears of a wider regional confrontation.
According to Lebanese security sources, Israeli warplanes targeted what were described as Hezbollah weapons depots, command centres, and launch sites near the border and deeper inside Lebanese territory. Explosions were reported in multiple areas, forcing residents to flee villages and prompting emergency services to respond to casualties and infrastructure damage. While Israel has not released detailed casualty figures, Lebanese authorities say civilians were among those affected.
The Israeli military said the operation was designed to neutralise Hezbollah’s military capabilities ahead of a looming deadline linked to international efforts to restore calm along the Israel–Lebanon border. Officials in Tel Aviv argue that Hezbollah’s continued presence and armed activity near the frontier violate existing agreements and pose a direct threat to Israeli communities.
Hezbollah, in response, accused Israel of attempting to impose its will through force and warned that continued attacks would not go unanswered. The group said it remains prepared to defend Lebanese territory, even as diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes to prevent a full-scale war.
The escalation comes amid growing diplomatic pressure from the United States and European powers, who have urged both sides to avoid further violence while pushing for steps that would reduce Hezbollah’s military footprint in the south. Analysts say the strikes may be intended to strengthen Israel’s negotiating position by demonstrating its willingness to act unilaterally.
Lebanon’s caretaker government condemned the attacks, calling them a violation of sovereignty and a threat to regional stability. Officials warned that the country, already grappling with economic collapse and political paralysis, cannot afford another major conflict.
With the deadline fast approaching and rhetoric hardening on both sides, observers say the coming days will be critical. Whether the airstrikes lead to renewed diplomacy or trigger a dangerous cycle of retaliation remains uncertain, but the risk of escalation in an already volatile region is clearly rising.