Israel strikes southern Lebanon after US-Iran ceasefire

Israel strikes southern Lebanon after US-Iran ceasefire

On Wednesday morning, the Israeli military launched a series of aerial assaults in southern Lebanon, signaling that the US-Iran ceasefire does not extend to this region, where the country is clashing with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia. The strikes targeted areas in Tyre and Nabatieh, among others, shortly after the agreement was announced. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected claims by Pakistan, a mediator in the deal, that the truce also encompasses the ongoing conflict in Lebanon.

Over 1,500 civilians have perished in the violence, with 130 children among the casualties. More than 1.2 million people have fled their homes—nearly 20% of Lebanon’s population—primarily from Shia Muslim communities in the south, eastern Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs. Hezbollah’s strongholds have seen villages reduced to rubble as Israeli forces seek to establish a security buffer zone. This strategy has fueled fears that some regions may remain under occupation even after the war concludes, leaving many residents unable to return.

Following the US-Iran ceasefire deal, which was announced in late February, the Lebanese presidency stated its commitment to “efforts to include Lebanon in regional peace.” Hezbollah, however, has yet to issue an official response, though it has not claimed responsibility for any attacks since the agreement took effect. Neither the Lebanese government nor Hezbollah has shown immediate reaction to the ceasefire, despite its implications for the country’s stability.

The current escalation in the decades-old conflict between Hezbollah and Israel began after the group retaliated by launching rockets into Israel. This came in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the war’s initial phase and continued Israeli strikes on Lebanese territory despite a ceasefire agreement signed in November 2024. Israeli officials initially signaled they would persist with their campaign in Lebanon, even if a deal was reached with Iran.

In recent days, however, military reports from Israeli media suggested the army might not push further into the region, acknowledging its inability to disarm Hezbollah through force alone. Analysts were surprised by Hezbollah’s resilience, as it was expected to have suffered significant losses in previous battles. The group has frequently attacked northern Israel with rockets and drones but has now engaged Israeli troops directly in southern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese government faces mounting pressure due to the displacement crisis. Schools repurposed as shelters are overcrowded, and many families sleep in makeshift tents or vehicles in public spaces. This has heightened sectarian tensions, with fears that other communities could also become targets. The Lebanese government proposed a plan to disarm Hezbollah, established in the 1980s as a response to Israel’s occupation during the 15-year civil war. Yet Hezbollah has not engaged in discussions about its weapons.

President Joseph Aoun, a former military leader, ruled out the use of force to resolve the standoff, cautioning that it could deepen divisions and trigger further violence. In response to the latest developments, his administration made a historic move to negotiate directly with Israel—despite the absence of diplomatic ties between the two nations. Israel, however, has so far declined to engage with the offer.