The Israeli army has intensified strikes in southern Lebanon, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the military to escalate its offensive to 'crush' Hezbollah, further eroding an already fragile ceasefire. Hezbollah responded by staging several attacks on Monday on three barracks and a military post in northern Israel, citing Israeli violations of the truce.
The escalating conflict comes amid waning hopes for a deal between the US and Iran, with Tehran citing confusion in US positions and Israeli interference as obstacles. Speaking at a press briefing, Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran's negotiating team, also stated that future management of the Strait of Hormuz is a matter for Oman and Iran to agree on, and that proposed fees are for navigational services, not tolls.
In the early hours of Tuesday, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for at least four drone attacks on Shomera barracks, attacks on two other barracks, and an attack on a military post in Misgav Am. Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah erupted on 2 March, and despite a ceasefire on 17 April, both sides have exchanged fire nearly daily.
Netanyahu said in a video statement, 'I have ordered an even greater acceleration of our operations... We will intensify our blows, increase our firepower, and we will crush them.' Following this, residents fled the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold. The Israeli air force carried out strikes in the Bekaa valley, and dozens of strikes targeted towns in southern Lebanon, killing three people.
According to Lebanese authorities, Israeli strikes since early March have killed over 3,100 people. The Israeli military announced a soldier was killed in southern Lebanon, bringing the total to 23 soldiers and one civilian contractor killed since hostilities began. Two far-right Israeli ministers called for expanding the military campaign, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich citing the need to end the threat of Hezbollah's drones, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir calling for a return to intensive warfare and taking control of further territory.
