Why is Israel bombing Lebanon?

Israel has killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in a powerful airstrike in Beirut, delivering a significant blow to the Lebanese resistance, which has been grappling with an intensified Israeli assault.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have shifted their focus north, with a pledge to dismantle Hezbollah’s political and military infrastructure. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video statement, claimed that Israel had “dealt Hezbollah a series of blows” and emphasized the country’s goal of resettling the tens of thousands of Israelis displaced by the conflict in the north.

In the past two weeks, more than 1,000 people have died, and over 6,000 have been injured due to Israeli strikes, according to the Lebanese health ministry. The bombardment has displaced nearly one million Lebanese citizens, including hundreds of thousands since Friday alone.

Hezbollah’s Response

Hezbollah has vowed to continue its attacks until Israel halts its military operations in Gaza. The group stated on Sunday that its intensified strikes on northern Israel were a direct response to Israeli aggression in Lebanon over the past week. Among the incidents, an airstrike on a densely populated Beirut neighborhood and the use of booby-trapped pagers and walkie-talkies resulted in the deaths of two senior Hezbollah commanders, along with dozens of fighters and civilians, injuring thousands more.

On Sunday, the Israeli military reported that 150 rockets, cruise missiles, and drones had been launched towards Israel, primarily from Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Potential Ground Invasion of Lebanon

Israeli forces are amassing near the Lebanese border, with substantial military equipment, vehicles, and other necessary assets being allocated for a possible ground invasion. The IDF has stated that all options remain open, and a ground offensive will be pursued when deemed appropriate.

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, addressing troops along the northern border last week, hinted that Israeli soldiers would soon enter enemy territory. He also noted that ongoing Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon are laying the groundwork for a potential ground invasion into Lebanese territory.