Mutual airstrikes, ground clashes, advancing Israeli troops, widespread destruction and a rising death toll: the situation between Israel and the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Lebanon is once again escalating sharply.
A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was declared in April and has since been extended twice. Despite the agreement, hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia have continued almost daily.
Hezbollah is not a party to the ceasefire and has refused to enter negotiations with Israel.
Heavy attacks resume
Intense Israeli airstrikes were reported again throughout Wednesday in southern and eastern Lebanon.
Lebanese security sources said renewed heavy strikes hit areas around the southern city of Nabatiyeh and surrounding regions, while the state news agency NNA reported further attacks in the east of the country.
At least seven airstrikes were reported near the ancient city of Baalbek. There were initially no official figures on casualties. Lebanese authorities said 31 people were killed in Israeli strikes since Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military reported further drone attacks launched from Lebanon into northern Israel, triggering warning sirens in several areas. The army also said it had identified “suspicious aerial objects” near Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, one of which was intercepted. No injuries were reported.
The Israeli military further stated that it had struck more than 150 Hezbollah targets on Tuesday near Tyre and Nabatiyeh, as well as in the Bekaa Valley.
Residents of major coastal city urged to flee
On Wednesday, for the first time since the ceasefire came into effect, the Israeli military urged almost all residents of the southern coastal city of Tyre to flee. A military spokesman announced in Arabic on the X platform that Israel would carry out operations against Hezbollah in the area.
Previously, the Israeli army had already called on residents of Nabatiyeh and other locations in southern Lebanon to evacuate. Nabatiyeh and Tyre are among the largest cities in southern Lebanon.
Lebanese security sources interpreted the evacuation order for Tyre as a sign that Israel intends to broaden the scope of its operations.
Panic reportedly broke out in the city, with many residents fleeing toward the coast. Eyewitnesses described long traffic jams forming on roads heading north.
Israel expands ground operations in southern Lebanon
Hezbollah has also continued its attacks on Israeli targets. Sources within the Iran-backed group said its fighters were engaged in heavy clashes with Israeli ground forces north of the Litani River, including encounters near the so-called “Yellow Line.”
According to the Israeli military, its operations have expanded beyond this line, which runs roughly six to 10 kilometres from the Israeli border.
Israeli media also reported that Hezbollah has recently begun deploying fibre-optic drones, which are considered resistant to electronic jamming because they are controlled via physical cables rather than radio signals. The cables can extend up to 30 kilometres, allowing the drones to reach targets at greater distances.
An Israeli government representative told Channel 12 that the military has so far been “helpless” in countering the new technology.
Under the terms of the ceasefire, the Israeli military is permitted to take defensive action against imminent or ongoing attacks, but offensive operations on Lebanese territory are prohibited.
Both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violations.
The Lebanese army, which is not involved in the conflict, said one of its soldiers was killed in an Israeli strike on Tuesday. The Israeli military said it was reviewing the report.
In Lebanon, more than 3,200 people have been killed and almost 10,000 injured since the latest escalation began in early March, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
