Dozens of people have been killed following a series of intense Israeli airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon, carried out after renewed threats by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to escalate military operations against Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s health ministry said at least 31 people were killed in the latest wave of attacks, including women and children.
The Israeli military, however, said it struck more than 100 Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure sites, describing the operation as one of the most significant bombardments since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire came into effect in mid-April.
The strikes followed statements by Netanyahu, who told a security cabinet meeting that he had instructed the military to “press the pedal even harder” in operations against Hezbollah.
He said Israeli forces were expanding military activities in Lebanon and reinforcing what he described as a security buffer zone intended to protect communities in northern Israel.
Shortly after his remarks, the Israeli military reported that sirens were activated in northern Israel after a projectile was launched from Lebanon.
The military said the projectile landed in an open area and caused no injuries.
Despite the ceasefire agreement, both Israel and Hezbollah have repeatedly accused each other of violations, raising fears that diplomatic efforts linked to broader regional tensions involving Israel, the United States, and Iran could collapse.
Reports from Lebanese media indicated that Israeli strikes hit several areas, including Mashghara in the Bekaa Valley, Burj al-Shamali in southern Lebanon, and locations near Beaufort Castle, a UNESCO-listed medieval fortress.
According to local accounts, dozens of airstrikes were carried out overnight across nearly 50 locations, while artillery fire and drone attacks continued in southern Lebanon.
Lebanon’s health ministry said rescue teams recovered 11 bodies from the rubble in Mashghara, including a woman and two children, while at least 15 others were injured.
In the southern town of Arab Salim, a man and his wife were killed when their home was struck, while two additional deaths were reported in Kauthariyet El Rez. Several residential buildings were also destroyed in the attacks.
Videos from Mashghara showed emergency responders pulling a seven-year-old boy, Mohammed, from the rubble. The boy reportedly survived but lost his father and two sisters in the strike.
In a video statement, Netanyahu vowed to intensify Israeli military operations against Hezbollah, accusing the group of carrying out recent drone attacks from Lebanon.
“We will deal them a crushing blow,” he said, warning that Israel would expand its campaign.
The statement sparked panic in parts of Beirut’s southern suburbs, where residents fled in large numbers amid fears of further airstrikes.
Roads leading out of the area were heavily congested as families attempted to move to safer locations.
Although Beirut was not directly struck, Israeli warplanes reportedly continued operations across Lebanon throughout the night.
The Israeli military said its strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure, including more than 90 weapons storage facilities, command centres, and observation posts, claiming militant activity had been identified at those sites.
On Tuesday morning, Israel issued fresh evacuation warnings in parts of Lebanon.
Military spokesperson Avichay Adraee accused Hezbollah of repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, said it had responded by targeting three Israeli military barracks and another position in northern Israel, describing its actions as retaliation for Israeli ceasefire breaches.
Netanyahu’s decision to escalate operations followed the killing of an Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon on Sunday.
Israeli figures say about 23 soldiers and one civilian contractor have been killed in Hezbollah-related incidents since fighting escalated on March 2.
Lebanon’s health ministry, on the other hand, says Israeli strikes have killed at least 3,185 people during the same period.
Tensions remained high as both sides continue to accuse each other of violating the fragile ceasefire, raising concerns of a wider regional escalation.
