The strikes targeted 1,300 Hezbollah positions, aiming to destroy infrastructure built since the 2006 war. Thousands of civilians fled as Hezbollah retaliated by launching over 200 rockets into northern Israel, injuring two.
Global leaders are urging restraint, with UN Secretary General António Guterres expressing concern over Lebanon's potential to face a situation similar to Gaza. U.S. President Joe Biden announced efforts to de-escalate, while the Pentagon deployed additional troops to the Middle East as a precaution.
Hezbollah has aligned itself with Hamas in Gaza, continuing its rocket attacks until a ceasefire is declared. The group is supported by Iran and is classified as a terrorist organization by Israel, the U.S., the UK, and other nations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Lebanese civilians to evacuate as Hezbollah stores weapons in residential areas.
The Israeli military remains focused on airstrikes, seeking to destroy Hezbollah's rocket-launching capabilities and border infrastructure. Despite acknowledging the death of only one fighter, Hezbollah continues to launch rockets into Israel.
