Israeli Strikes Hit Hezbollah Targets in Lebanon as Regional Tensions Soar
Beirut, Lebanon – The Israeli military launched strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Friday, escalating fears of a wider regional conflict following a U.S.-Israel military operation in Iran that resulted in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s spiritual leader.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the offensive hours after sirens sounded in northern Israel, triggered by projectiles fired from Lebanon. The strikes targeted senior Hezbollah operatives in Beirut, the Lebanese capital, and a “key terrorist” in southern Lebanon, according to the Israeli Air Force.
“Hezbollah opened a campaign against Israel overnight, and is fully responsible for any escalation,” IDF Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir stated. “Any enemy that threatens our security will pay a heavy price – we will not allow any harm to come to the people of Israel and our northern border.”
The escalation comes less than 48 hours after the U.S. and Israel initiated military action in Iran, leading to Khamenei’s death and the formation of a three-member interim council, as reported by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
Iran has responded with attacks on U.S. bases across the Middle East, and its proxy militias, including Hezbollah, have also launched attacks. Three U.S. service members were killed and five seriously injured in Kuwait, while at least nine Israelis were killed in a strike in Beit Shemesh, located west of Jerusalem, according to Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service. More than 20 were injured in that attack.
State media in Iran, citing the Red Crescent, reported over 200 deaths within Iran. The Iran Mission to the United Nations claimed more than 150 school children were killed in a strike on a school in Minab, a southern city.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the rocket launches from southern Lebanon, calling them “an irresponsible and suspicious act that endangers Lebanon’s security and safety and provides Israel with pretexts to continue its attacks.” He affirmed his government’s commitment to preventing Lebanon from being “dragged into new adventures” and vowed to take measures to stop the perpetrators.
The situation remains highly volatile as regional powers navigate the fallout from the operation in Iran and the potential for further escalation. The international community is closely monitoring developments, concerned about the humanitarian impact and the risk of a broader conflict.
