Israel Expands Ground Offensive in Southern Lebanon Amid Rising Tensions with Iran
Israel’s military has intensified its ground operations in southern Lebanon, marking a critical escalation in its ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. This new phase of the military campaign comes after a year of increasing hostility, triggered by an initial attack from the Palestinian armed group Hamas on southern Israel.
Ground Incursions Target Hezbollah Strongholds
On Tuesday, Israeli forces launched a series of ground operations in southwest Lebanon, extending beyond earlier incursions at the southeast border. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) described the operations as “localized and targeted,” focusing on eliminating Hezbollah militants embedded near the border. Israel’s airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs have already claimed the life of senior Hezbollah operative Suhail Hussein Husseini, responsible for the group’s budgeting and logistics.
The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has been one of Israel’s main adversaries in the region. The conflict between the two escalated over the past year, with Hezbollah supporting Hamas in its fight against Israel. The targeted killing of Husseini follows a string of assassinations, including the death of Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah in a recent Israeli airstrike.
Iran Warns of Retaliation Amid Regional Tensions
Iran has entered the fray, sending a strong message to Israel following its barrage of missiles last week. On Tuesday, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, warned Israel against any attack on Iranian infrastructure. Tehran’s missile strikes have heightened tensions, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling it a “big mistake,” vowing retaliation.
Araqchi plans to visit Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern nations in a diplomatic push to halt Israeli “crimes” in Gaza and Lebanon, according to Iran’s ISNA news agency. Meanwhile, Gulf states have reassured Iran of their neutrality in the conflict, aiming to avoid entanglement in the ongoing hostilities.
Calls for Ceasefire Grow as Hezbollah Signals Possible Shift
Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, supported ceasefire efforts in Lebanon. In a televised address, he backed the efforts of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to secure a halt to the escalating violence, omitting any mention of a Gaza truce deal as a precondition for stopping Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel.
The United Nations has also expressed concern over the escalating conflict, noting the severe humanitarian toll. In a joint statement, UN officials said their calls for restraint over the past year have gone unheeded, with Israeli airstrikes displacing over 1.2 million people in Lebanon. The situation in the region is becoming increasingly dire as Israeli operations ramp up along the Lebanese coast and inland.
Conclusion
As the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah deepens, with Iran’s involvement intensifying the stakes, regional diplomacy efforts are struggling to keep pace with the military escalation. The future of this ongoing conflict remains uncertain, as the humanitarian crisis worsens and global attention turns to the volatile situation in the Middle East.
Source: Swifteradio
