Israel Strikes 3,500 Targets in Lebanon as War With Hezbollah Escalates

Israel says it has hit over 3,500 targets in Lebanon within a month of intensified fighting with Hezbollah, as both sides continue to exchange deadly attacks.

The Israeli military disclosed on Friday that it had carried out widespread strikes across Lebanon since the conflict escalated on March 2, targeting positions linked to the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.

The escalation followed rocket attacks launched by Hezbollah into Israel, which the group said were in response to a joint US-Israeli strike that killed Ali Khamenei.

Israel has since responded with sustained airstrikes and a ground offensive aimed at weakening Hezbollah’s operational capacity.

“We have struck terrorist infrastructure, weapons depots, launch sites, and command centres,” the military said, adding that about 1,000 militants had been killed in the operations.

Rising casualties

Lebanon’s health ministry reported that at least 1,345 people have been killed and 4,040 injured since the conflict began, highlighting the growing humanitarian toll.

The casualties include 1,129 men, 91 women, and 125 children, as well as 53 healthcare workers, underscoring the widespread impact of the violence on civilians.

Hezbollah has not officially disclosed the number of its fighters killed in the ongoing hostilities.

Escalation warning

Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, issued a strong warning to Hezbollah’s leader, Naim Qassem, threatening severe consequences for continued attacks.

“The Hezbollah terrorist organisation you now lead, and its supporters in Lebanon, will bear the full and severe consequences,” Mr Katz said.

The warning came after Hezbollah claimed responsibility for multiple rocket attacks on northern Israel during the Jewish holiday of Passover.

Military objectives

Mr Katz reiterated Israel’s strategic goals, stating that Israeli forces intend to push Hezbollah away from southern Lebanon, maintain security control over the Litani region, and dismantle the group’s military capabilities.

The developments signal a deepening conflict with potential regional implications, as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East.

The latest escalation highlights the growing intensity of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, raising concerns about a broader regional war and worsening humanitarian conditions in Lebanon.