Israel intensified its military operations against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon on Monday, with airstrikes killing at least 21 people in the country’s north. Health officials reported that the strike targeted a house in the Christian-majority town of Aitou, which was housing displaced families. Eight others were injured, adding to the toll of a conflict that has escalated sharply over the past weeks.
As tensions surged, millions of Israelis sought shelter from cross-border projectiles fired by Hezbollah. The Israeli military reported that 115 projectiles from Lebanon were intercepted or landed within Israeli territory on Monday, although no casualties were reported. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to target Hezbollah “without mercy” across Lebanon, including Beirut.
UN Expresses Concern
The U.N. Security Council issued a statement expressing concern after several peacekeeping posts came under fire amid the clashes. Tensions between Israel and UNIFIL, the U.N. peacekeeping force stationed in southern Lebanon, have escalated. U.N. officials reported that Israeli tanks breached a UNIFIL base on Sunday.
UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti reaffirmed that the peacekeeping mission would remain in place, stating, “We are staying … under a Security Council mandate. It is essential to maintain an international presence.”
Netanyahu denied allegations that Israeli forces deliberately targeted peacekeepers, suggesting instead that Hezbollah exploits U.N. positions to launch attacks. “Israel regrets any harm to UNIFIL personnel,” Netanyahu said, but urged peacekeepers to temporarily leave conflict zones to ensure their safety.
Israel Orders Evacuation, Hezbollah Responds with Drone Strikes
In response to intensifying skirmishes, Israel ordered the evacuation of 25 villages in southern Lebanon, instructing residents to move north of the Awali River, 60 kilometers from the Israeli border. On Sunday, four Israeli soldiers were killed in a Hezbollah drone attack near a military base in central Israel.
Israeli forces escorted foreign journalists into southern Lebanon, showing them a Hezbollah tunnel shaft located less than 200 meters from a U.N. post, along with weapons caches. “This is a Hezbollah military base hidden under U.N. cover,” claimed Brigadier General Yiftach Norkin. Israel’s military reports that it has destroyed multiple Hezbollah tunnels, rocket launchers, and command posts in recent operations.
The conflict has further expanded to northern Gaza, where Israeli strikes killed 10 Palestinians queuing for food in Jabalia, according to Palestinian medics. Meanwhile, fears of a broader regional conflict loom large as Iran, a backer of both Hezbollah and Hamas, remains on high alert. Speculation grows over a potential Israeli retaliation for an October 1 missile barrage from Iran, heightening tensions across the Middle East.