Israel intensifies Lebanon strikes amid ceasefire collapse
At least 31 killed in southern and eastern Lebanon as Israeli forces target over 100 sites, marking one of the heaviest bombardments since the US-brokered truce began in mid-April.
Israeli forces have launched a significant escalation of military operations in Lebanon, killing at least 31 people, including children, in a wave of strikes across the south and east. The Israeli military reported targeting more than 100 Hezbollah infrastructure sites and fighters, describing the operation as one of the heaviest bombardments since a US-brokered ceasefire was established in mid-April. The escalation has triggered widespread panic and mass evacuations in Hezbollah strongholds, including Beirut’s southern suburbs, while new evacuation orders were issued across the country on Tuesday morning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to "crush" Hezbollah and deepen military operations, citing repeated violations of the ceasefire by both sides. Speaking at a security cabinet meeting, Netanyahu stated that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) were operating with large ground forces to seize dominant terrain and fortify the security zone. He accused Hezbollah of launching attacks, including fibre-optic drones designed to evade Israeli defences, and declared that Israel would deal the group a "crushing blow" in response.
The strikes targeted multiple locations, including the Bekaa Valley village of Mashghara, Burj al-Shamali, Arab Salim, and Kauthariyet El Rez. In Mashghara, the Lebanese health ministry reported that 11 bodies, including one woman and two children, were recovered from rubble, with 15 others injured. Among the injured was a seven-year-old boy, Mohammed, who was rescued from his destroyed home after a missile killed his father and two sisters. Local media reported that some strikes occurred near Beaufort Castle, a UNESCO-recognised medieval fortress, highlighting the broad geographic scope of the bombardment.
Israeli military spokesman Col Avichay Adraee accused Hezbollah of violating the terms of the ceasefire that came into force on 17 April, stating that these breaches left Israeli forces with no choice but to act. The military released aerial footage claiming to show the elimination of terrorists in Mashghara and stated that more than 90 weapons storage facilities, command centres, and observation posts had been struck. Hezbollah, in turn, claimed it targeted three barracks and a military post in northern Israel as a response to Israeli violations of the truce.
The intensification of hostilities threatens to derail ongoing diplomatic talks involving the US, Israel, and Iran. Since the broader conflict began on 2 March, the Lebanese health ministry has attributed at least 3,185 deaths to Israeli strikes. On the Israeli side, the military confirmed that a soldier was killed in combat in southern Lebanon on Sunday, bringing the total Israeli military losses to 23 soldiers and one civilian contractor. The current escalation has left communities in both nations facing renewed violence and displacement, with thousands of residents fleeing their homes in search of safety.
