New Israel-Lebanon clashes erupt as Israel targets alleged Hezbollah positions, threatening to escalate cross-border conflict despite a fragile ceasefire
Deadly Strikes in Southern Lebanon
Two people were killed and seven others injured on Monday after Israeli airstrikes hit southern Lebanon, marking one of the deadliest flare-ups since the ceasefire agreement in late 2024.
Lebanon’s Ministry of Health confirmed that an Israeli strike on the town of Doueir, in the Nabatieh province, killed one person and wounded seven. A second attack in Aita al-Shaab, a border town in the Bint Jbeil district, killed another individual, escalating fears of renewed hostilities along the tense frontier.
Witnesses told local media that three missiles hit a car in Doueir, igniting fires that spread to nearby shops and vehicles. Firefighters and emergency crews battled the flames as they cleared debris and shattered glass from the devastated area.
Israel Says It Targeted Hezbollah
The Israeli military said the strikes were aimed at Hezbollah commanders and infrastructure, claiming to have killed Mohammed Ali Hadid, allegedly a commander in the group’s elite Radwan Force. Israel accused Hadid of trying to rebuild Hezbollah’s “terror infrastructure” in the Nabatieh area.
In a separate attack on Aita al-Shaab, the Israeli army said it killed another Hezbollah member who was “attempting to gather intelligence” on Israeli troops operating near the border.
The Israeli military’s statements come amid growing rhetoric from officials in Tel Aviv vowing to “intensify operations” against Hezbollah targets if cross-border fire continues.
Ceasefire Under Strain
These latest attacks mark a serious breach of the November 2024 ceasefire, which had been negotiated to end over a year of tit-for-tat strikes. The truce had brought temporary calm, but in recent weeks both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned on Sunday that Hezbollah was “playing with fire”, accusing Lebanon’s leadership of failing to control the group. Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the raids, saying Israel was “responding to peace overtures with intensified air raids.”
On Saturday, Israeli strikes in Nabatieh killed four people, further inflaming tensions and fueling fears that the fragile peace could collapse entirely.
International Pressure Mounts
As regional tension rises, the United States has urged Lebanon to pursue direct talks with Israel to prevent further escalation. U.S. envoy Tom Barrack said Washington is “encouraging negotiations” to stabilize the border and avoid another all-out conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Diplomats say Hezbollah’s weakened state after months of clashes and internal pressure could make the group more open to dialogue — but others warn that Israel’s growing offensives may push the situation beyond the point of reconciliation.
A Fragile Calm in the Balance
The strikes on Doueir and Aita al-Shaab underscore how volatile the Israel-Lebanon border remains, even under a formal ceasefire. With both sides trading blame and military operations escalating, the region teeters on the brink of renewed warfare.
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