Israel has significantly escalated its military campaign in Lebanon, particularly targeting Hezbollah in Beirut. Recent airstrikes have hit Hezbollah-linked financial institutions and underground weapons labs in southern Beirut, with warnings issued for civilians to avoid these areas. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claim to have neutralized key Hezbollah commanders, including senior figures involved in the group’s southern operations. In response, Hezbollah has launched retaliatory rocket attacks toward northern Israel, intensifying the conflict.
Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, have signaled that the country is moving toward a broader military phase aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s capabilities. This escalation follows a period of increasing tensions, including a drone attack targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence, which Israel attributes to Iranian proxies. As the conflict grows, Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, continue to be a focus of Israeli strikes, resulting in extensive damage to infrastructure and civilian displacement.
