Asger Risom
Renewed hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah threaten fragile regional stability
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Tensions flared sharply on Friday as Israel launched a series of airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, a stronghold of Hezbollah, marking the first such attack since a fragile ceasefire began in November. The strikes came in response to rocket fire from Lebanese territory toward northern Israel.
Escalation Follows Rocket Launches
According to the Israeli military, two projectiles were fired from Lebanon—one intercepted, the other landing in Lebanese territory. In retaliation, Israeli forces struck multiple Hezbollah-linked targets in the south of the country, including the village of Kfar Tebnit, where one person was killed and 18 were injured, among them three children.
For the first time in four months, Israeli warplanes also struck Beirut’s Hadath neighborhood. The densely populated area was blanketed in thick black smoke as residents were urged to evacuate ahead of the strike. The Israeli military claimed the area contained “Hezbollah installations.”
Warnings, Denials, and Panic
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that if peace is not restored to Israeli towns like Kiryat Shmona, “there will be no calm in Beirut.” He placed direct responsibility on the Lebanese government for any attacks originating from its territory.
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Hezbollah denied involvement in the rocket launches. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam responded by ordering the army to locate those responsible, while the United Nations called on all parties to show restraint.
The renewed violence triggered panic across southern Lebanon. In Tyre, previously targeted by airstrikes, parents rushed to withdraw their children from school following threats of further Israeli retaliation.
A Fragile Peace Unravels
The clashes are the latest in a series of escalations since Hezbollah opened a northern front during the October 2023 Gaza war. The ceasefire brokered in late 2024 had halted major hostilities, but both sides have since accused each other of violations.
More than 4,000 people have died in Lebanon since the conflict reignited, and over a million have been displaced. On the Israeli side, 78 people have been killed since September, including dozens of soldiers.
Despite a partial Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon in February, airstrikes have continued, underscoring the volatility of the situation.
As reported by AFP via Linternaute, both sides appear braced for further confrontation.
