Israel ‘intensifying’ strikes in Lebanon, defense minister says

Israel is ramping up its assault on Lebanon, the defense minister said Monday, as the Israeli military conducted a new wave of airstrikes on Hezbollah targets.

“We are intensifying our strikes in Lebanon; this series of actions will continue until we achieve our goals, bringing the residents of the north back to their homes safely,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said, according to local media.

Israel deployed dozens of fighter jets and hit 150 targets in Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Monday. The latest round of strikes came hours after Hezbollah — an Iran-backed militant group and political party based in Lebanon — launched dozens of rockets Sunday at an Israeli military base in the northern region of the country.

Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged rocket fire almost daily since Palestinian militant group Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, but the conflict escalated last week when communications devices belonging to Hezbollah were remotely detonated, killing dozens and injuring thousands.

Hezbollah officials attributed the highly sophisticated attack to Israel; Israel has so far declined to claim responsibility.

The United States has publicly downplayed the escalating tensions, as fears mount of a wider regional war.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned Sunday that Lebanon could turn into “another Gaza” if hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah worsen.