Israel Conducts Strikes on Hezbollah Targets in Southern Lebanon, Escalating Regional Tensions

Jerusalem: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it has conducted targeted strikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon over recent days, targeting weapons storage facilities and observation posts. The strikes are part of an effort to neutralize what Israel considers imminent threats posed by Hezbollah, according to an official IDF statement.

The operations come amid heightened tensions, despite a ceasefire agreement signed between Israel and Lebanon that came into effect on November 27, 2024. The agreement mandates the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from southern Lebanon by Sunday. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated on Friday that IDF forces would remain in the area beyond the deadline, citing the Lebanese military’s inability to establish full control and Hezbollah’s incomplete withdrawal north of the Litani River.

“The continued presence of our forces is necessary to ensure the security of Israeli citizens and prevent Hezbollah from rearming,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.

Lebanon has accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire terms over the past two months, further complicating the situation.

Israeli Airstrike Kills Two Palestinians in the West Bank

Meanwhile, in a separate development, two Palestinians were killed on Friday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a vehicle in Qabatiya, near Jenin in the northern West Bank. The governor of Jenin, Kamal Abu al-Rub, confirmed the strike, identifying the victims as Mahmoud Kamil and Hamoud Zakarneh. The vehicle was struck near the town’s medical complex and was reportedly burned beyond recognition.

The IDF confirmed the operation, describing it as part of a broader counterterrorism campaign named “Iron Wall,” which has been ongoing in the northern West Bank for the past four days. The campaign involves collaboration between the IDF, Israel Security Agency, and Border Police.

Since the operation’s launch on Tuesday, at least 14 Palestinians have been killed, according to local officials. The Israeli military stated the campaign aims to dismantle “terrorist groups” in the region and ensure continued military control.

Rising Tensions Across the Region

The West Bank has experienced a surge in violence since October 2023, when war erupted between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, over 800 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the start of the conflict, reflecting a dramatic escalation in clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups.

As the situation intensifies in both southern Lebanon and the West Bank, concerns are mounting over the potential for further regional instability. International observers have urged both sides to honor existing ceasefire agreements and seek avenues for de-escalation to prevent broader conflict.