The Israeli military launched airstrikes and artillery attacks on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon on Thursday, following two days of device explosions that killed at least 37 people, including two children, and left thousands injured. This escalation has stirred fears of a larger conflict in the already volatile Middle East.
The attacks on southern Lebanon were carried out without Israeli ground forces crossing the border, according to an Israeli official who spoke to NBC News. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strikes, which they said were aimed at reducing Hezbollah’s “capabilities and infrastructure.” These actions coincided with a highly anticipated speech by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who responded to the recent explosions through pagers and walkie-talkies.
Two Israeli soldiers were killed in northern Israel during combat operations, while Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported four injuries from the airstrikes on a southern Lebanese town. As Lebanon grapples with the devastation, hospitals are overwhelmed by the influx of casualties.
The Lebanese health minister announced early Thursday that at least 37 people, including two children, had been killed, and thousands more were injured due to the explosions. As the world urged for restraint, Israel indicated that its attention had now shifted to its northern border with Lebanon. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared that this was the start of a “new phase” in Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, which has been simmering for months.
Gallant elaborated on this new phase in a video message posted on X, warning that Hezbollah would face “an increasing price” as time progresses. “Hezbollah feels that it is being persecuted, and the sequence of military actions will continue,” Gallant said. “Our goal is to ensure the safe return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes.”
Lebanon is left reeling from the attacks, with Hezbollah struggling to manage the aftermath. The public is gripped by fear, concerned that more devices could explode at any moment. In his speech, Nasrallah referred to the explosions as a severe “security and humanitarian blow” and labeled them an unprecedented “terrorist” attack. He emphasized that the devices targeted civilians, not just Hezbollah members.
Nasrallah condemned the attacks as an act of war against Lebanon but did not specify when or how Hezbollah would retaliate. He asserted that “the enemy has crossed all red lines” and vowed that Israel would not succeed in repopulating its evacuated northern areas without ending its military aggression. Nasrallah reaffirmed that Hezbollah’s actions would not cease until the attacks on Gaza ended.
While Nasrallah addressed the situation, Israeli warplanes flew over Beirut, breaking the sound barrier and shaking the capital in a show of force. The Lebanese Army warned the public to stay away from areas with suspected explosive devices as it worked to safely detonate them.
A former senior Israeli security official told NBC News that the detonation of the devices was not part of a strategic plan but a response to the urgent need to act while the explosives could still be used. The official added that Israel does not plan to go to war with Lebanon “as of now.”
Israel’s military, meanwhile, stated that its operations aimed to restore security in northern Israel and enable the return of residents to their homes while pursuing all war objectives.
Earlier on Thursday, at least eight people were injured in northern Israel due to anti-tank fire from across the Lebanese border, according to Israeli health authorities. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant mentioned that the conflict’s “center of gravity” was shifting northward, requiring the allocation of more resources and forces to this front. He reiterated that Israel was entering a new phase in the war, which would require “courage, determination, and perseverance.”
Gallant also stated that he had briefed U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about the situation, focusing on Hezbollah’s threats in the northern region. Two U.S. officials confirmed that Israel had informed the United States of its intentions in Lebanon but did not provide specific details. The U.S. was reportedly surprised by the reports of the explosions on Tuesday.
Although Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the explosions, Hezbollah and Lebanese officials blamed the country for the attacks. Lebanon’s foreign minister, Abdallah Rashid Bouhabib, is expected to participate in an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council in New York.
In response to the explosions, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, condemned the attacks, calling them “indiscriminate,” “insane,” and “barbaric.” He also criticized the U.S. for supporting Israel, describing the country as a “savage and murderous regime.” The U.S. State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, reiterated America’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself while urging for de-escalation.
