The second front of the war in the Middle East: Israel attacks Hezbollah

The launch of the operation was announced by the Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Gen. Eyal Zamir. “We have begun an offensive campaign against Hezbollah. We are no longer only on the defensive; now we are moving to the offensive,” he stated. The Israeli armed forces carried out the first strikes “in response to Hezbollah’s launch of rockets toward the State of Israel.” It was the first rocket attack conducted by Hezbollah since November 2024, when both sides agreed to a ceasefire. In its counterattack, Israel targeted Beirut and southern Lebanon as its primary objectives.

Hezbollah’s attack was in retaliation for the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on Saturday, February 28, as a result of US-Israeli airstrikes. Iran supports and finances Hezbollah. The organization’s Secretary-General, Naim Qassem, declared on Sunday that “no matter the cost, we will not abandon the battlefield.” Hezbollah’s attack was met with criticism from Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, who stated, “The rocket fire from southern Lebanon is an irresponsible and suspicious act that endangers Lebanon’s security and gives Israel a pretext to continue its attacks.”

According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, at least 31 people have been killed and 149 wounded as a result of Israeli airstrikes so far.

Israel has designated Naim Qassem as a primary target for elimination. Military presence along the border with Lebanon has been reinforced, although a ground invasion of the country is not currently planned.