Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday ordered further attacks on Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, describing the targets as “terrorist targets” and escalating a conflict that gives Iran additional leverage to complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the broader U.S.–Iran war.
Netanyahu called the attacks in response to strikes on Israeli civilians and other violations of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire which has failed to bring an end to the fighting.
Israel has carried out limited strikes on Dahieh since the ceasefire in Lebanon was announced on April 16, following heavy bombardment during the early stages of the war. However, fighting has continued in southern Lebanon.
Netanyahu, along with Defence Minister Israel Katz, directed the Israeli military to target Hezbollah. A statement from Netanyahu’s office said the operation was a response to ongoing hostilities.
On Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
As per tha talks, the first condition includes that Lebanese officials should pressure Hezbollah to stop its attacks on Israel and that, in return, Israel would refrain from escalation in Beirut.
It came after Israeli troops occupying southern Lebanon crossed the Litani river to seize the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle that sits on top of a strategically important ridge.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said their campaign was “not over” and that they were “determined to crush Hezbollah’s power”.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Israeli strikes in Lebanon were contributing to delays in diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the US-Iran conflict, reiterating Tehran’s position that any Lebanon ceasefire is an integral part of a broader agreement.
The latest escalation follows intensified clashes over the weekend, including Israeli troop advances and reports of the capture of Beaufort Castle. Netanyahu also ordered expanded ground operations, aiming to deepen Israeli control over areas previously held by Hezbollah.
Lebanese authorities say the conflict has killed more than 3,370 people since March 2, when Hezbollah opened fire on Israel in support of Iran amid US-Israeli military pressure. Israel reports 24 soldiers and four civilian deaths in the same period.
The escalation comes after Israeli forces crossed the Litani River earlier this week for the first time since 2006, marking a significant expansion of the offensive against Hezbollah.
As part of the advance, Israeli troops seized Beaufort Castle, a 12th-century fortress located on a strategic hill overlooking Nabatieh in southern Lebanon. The site previously came under Israeli control in 1982 before being withdrawn from in 2000. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described its capture as a “significant tactical victory.”
Hezbollah, meanwhile, accused Israel of repeated ceasefire violations and said it carried out 21 operations on Sunday, including rocket fire toward Israeli military infrastructure in Nahariya.
France has called for an emergency session of the UN Security Council in response to the escalating violence.
The United States has been facilitating indirect diplomatic talks between Israel and Lebanon. A U.S. official said Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently spoke with both Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and proposed a phased de-escalation plan.
