Israel Hezbollah Escalation: Air Strikes Following Hizbollah Attacks

Escalating Tensions in the Israel Hezbollah Conflict

Israel’s air force bombed 10 areas of Lebanon overnight in response to a rocket barrage from the Lebanese militant group Hizbollah, as hopes for a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza continued to fade.

The US and Arab nations view a deal to end the fighting in Gaza and free the roughly 100 Israeli hostages still being held there by Hamas as the best way to prevent an all-out regional war erupting in the Middle East.

Diplomatic Efforts Amid Military Actions

However, despite an intense diplomatic push by US officials, significant gaps remain between Israel and Hamas. In recent days, as the hopes of a deal have waned, the exchanges of fire between Israel and Iran-backed Hizbollah have intensified.

• US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris stressed the urgency of reaching a deal during their call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
• Netanyahu’s office reiterated the commitment to achieving all objectives for the war.
• Israeli officials revealed that a delegation was in Cairo for follow-up negotiations.

One Egyptian official indicated that Israel's insistence on a continued military presence in Gaza poses a major obstacle to progress.

Tensions have spiraled in recent weeks after Iran and Hizbollah pledged retaliation against Israel for the assassinations of two senior Hizbollah and Hamas militants.

Recent Military Engagments

The Israeli military stated that overnight strikes targeted weapons storage, military structures, and a launcher in Lebanon. This action followed a drone attack by Hizbollah on military posts in northern Israel and a barrage of over 50 rockets on Wednesday, injuring one.

• Hizbollah claimed their attack was a response to Israeli air strikes in the Bekaa Valley.
• One Israeli strike in the Bekaa Valley resulted in one death and 30 injuries.
• An Israeli drone strike killed a Palestinian militant linked to arms smuggling.

Exchanges of fire have intensified since Hizbollah began supporting Hamas after its October 7 offensive on Israel, though both sides have, thus far, avoided wide-scale conflict. Israeli officials remain prepared to act against Hizbollah if necessary.