Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon have killed two people and injured seven others, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The attacks on Monday targeted two towns in the Nabatieh and Bint Jbeil districts, heightening fears of renewed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
The first strike hit the town of Doueir, near the city of Nabatieh. Officials reported that one person died and seven others were injured after three missiles struck a vehicle, setting nearby cars and shops on fire. Firefighters and rescue teams worked for hours to control the blaze and clear debris from the surrounding area.
A second attack occurred in Aita al-Shaab, a border town in southern Lebanon, where another person was killed. Lebanon’s National News Agency said both strikes caused severe damage to nearby buildings and local businesses.
The Israeli military confirmed responsibility for the air raids, claiming they targeted Hezbollah operatives. In a statement, the army said it killed Mohammed Ali Hadid, whom it identified as a commander in the Radwan Force, a special Hezbollah unit. Israel accused Hadid of trying to “rebuild Hezbollah terror infrastructure sites” in the Nabatieh region. The military also claimed that another Hezbollah member was killed in Aita al-Shaab while “gathering intelligence on Israeli forces.”
The attacks came just one day after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Hezbollah was “playing with fire.” He accused Lebanon’s leadership of failing to control the group and suggested Israel would escalate military operations if cross-border activities continued.
The strikes have further strained a fragile ceasefire agreement established in November 2024, which was meant to end over a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Despite the deal, cross-border incidents and drone strikes have continued, raising concerns that both sides are moving closer to a wider confrontation.
President Joseph Aoun condemned the latest attacks, accusing Israel of “responding to peace overtures with intensified air raids.” He urged the international community to intervene and prevent further escalation, warning that continued violence could destabilize the region.
The Israeli military has defended its recent operations as necessary to prevent Hezbollah from expanding its presence near the border. Israeli officials have repeatedly accused the group of storing weapons in civilian areas and using Lebanese towns to launch attacks. Hezbollah has denied these claims, insisting that it is acting in defense of Lebanese sovereignty.
Over the weekend, Israeli strikes in Nabatieh killed four people, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Those attacks came amid growing calls for restraint from international mediators, including the United States.
U.S. envoy Tom Barrack said Washington is urging both sides to engage in direct dialogue. “We are encouraging negotiations to avoid a deeper conflict,” he stated during a briefing. However, diplomatic efforts have so far failed to halt the violence.
The situation has also placed pressure on Hezbollah, which has been weakened by years of fighting and economic challenges inside Lebanon. The group faces mounting international calls to disarm and allow the Lebanese government to take full control of the southern border.
In southern towns, residents have expressed fear and frustration over the renewed violence. Many families have fled border villages in recent weeks, seeking safety farther north. Local authorities have warned that continued air raids could trigger a larger humanitarian crisis if the ceasefire collapses completely.
Regional analysts say the recent escalation marks one of the most dangerous phases since the ceasefire took effect last year. They warn that if both sides continue their current path, the border region could soon witness a return to full-scale war.
For now, southern Lebanon remains tense, with the sound of drones and fighter jets breaking the fragile calm. As rescue crews continue clearing rubble in Doueir and Aita al-Shaab, families are left mourning their dead and fearing what comes next.
