Israel Intensifies Raids in Lebanon as Hezbollah Vows Retaliation

Israel conducted its heaviest strikes on Lebanon on April 8, 2026, prompting threats of retaliation from Iran. These attacks are part of an intensified military campaign against Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia and political party, occurring within the context of a broader war between the United States and Israel against Iran.

The Lebanese health ministry reported that more than 1,000 people have been killed in Lebanon since the intensification of the campaign, including at least 118 children and 40 health workers. More than one million people have been displaced from their homes, leading to concerns over a major humanitarian crisis.

Expansion of Military Operations

The Israeli military has expanded both ground and air operations in Lebanon. Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, the chief of the general staff, approved plans to advance targeted ground operations and strikes, which he described as a prolonged operation. Israeli officials stated the objective is to protect communities in northern Israel from Hezbollah attacks.

In southern Lebanon, Israeli forces were instructed by Defence Minister Israel Katz to destroy crossings over the Litani River to prevent Hezbollah from transporting reinforcements. This operation included an air strike that damaged the Qasmiye bridge, a primary route linking the south to central Lebanon near the coastal city of Tyre.

The Israeli military has also targeted al-Qard Al-Hasan, identified as Hezbollah’s financial arm, while ground forces carry out focused raids against the group’s infrastructure in the south.

Human Rights Watch has accused Israeli forces of violating international law by using white phosphorus incendiary shells in strikes on residential areas in a Lebanese village.

Political and Regional Impact

The conflict has disrupted Lebanon’s domestic governance. In March 2026, the Lebanese parliament voted to extend its term by two years. The decision was supported by 76 legislators, including Hezbollah’s 13-member bloc, while 41 voted against and four abstained. This extension was prompted by the US-Israeli war with Iran, as the displacement of over half a million people made it difficult to conduct elections that were scheduled for May 2026.

The regional escalation began on February 28, 2026, the first day of the United States-Israeli war on Iran, which saw the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response to the death of their main benefactor, Hezbollah launched a volley of missiles and drones toward an Israeli military site in the northern city of Haifa in early March 2026.

Tensions have extended to critical maritime corridors. Iran reportedly closed the Strait of Hormuz following Israeli strikes on Lebanon, an action that occurred despite a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

Military analysts and experts state that the current fighting has stalled efforts by the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah. This complicates the terms of a 2024 ceasefire deal, which required Israeli troops to withdraw from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah fighters to move north of the Litani River.