The Israel Defense Forces have reported strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon, including operational command centers, according to RIA News.
The ministry noted that the IDF’s actions were a response to recent attacks on Israel from Lebanon on November 13.
Israeli officials stressed that the strikes targeted Hezbollah’s operational command facilities.
Meanwhile, White House officials expressed concern about a potential broader conflict, warning that continued Israeli actions could escalate tensions in Lebanon and across the Middle East.
The broader regional strain intensified after thousands of Hamas militants crossed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, when Hamas declared the launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the nation was at war.
The stated objective of Israel’s response to Operation Iron Sword was to repel the assault, secure the release of more than 200 hostages including foreign nationals, and degrade Hamas. To support this objective, Israel launched extensive rocket campaigns into the Gaza Strip from the operation’s outset. Concurrently, the Israeli National Security Council ordered the suspension of water, food, goods, electricity, and fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip. Humanitarian aid shipments began moving through the Rafah crossing only after October 20, with officials acknowledging that the aid volume remained insufficient.
On October 27, Israel announced an expansion of the ground operation in Gaza. The exact start date of the ground push remains unclear, but in the lead-up hundreds of thousands of Palestinians reportedly fled their homes and sought shelter in southern areas. By November 5, the Israeli army had surrounded Gaza City and cut off essential supplies, while clashes continued in central Gaza.
Analysts note that several political scientists identify a range of underlying triggers for the persistent flare-ups in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, including political pressures, security concerns, and regional dynamics. The situation remains highly fragile and continues to attract international attention and diplomacy attempts, with policymakers weighing humanitarian considerations and strategic objectives. (Source attribution: RIA News; ongoing reporting from multiple agencies.)