Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Jun 1: Israel has intensified its military campaign in Lebanon, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz ordering fresh airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs amid escalating hostilities with Hezbollah.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, the Israeli leadership said the military action was authorised in response to what it described as repeated violations of the ceasefire by Hezbollah, including rocket and drone attacks targeting communities in northern Israel.
According to Israeli media reports, the decision follows approval from the United States for an expansion of Israeli military operations in Lebanon. While earlier operations were largely concentrated in southern Lebanon, the latest approval reportedly allows Israel to widen its campaign to include strikes in and around the Lebanese capital.
The development marks a significant escalation in the conflict, raising concerns over the possibility of a broader regional confrontation.
On the Lebanese side, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri reiterated that Hezbollah remains committed to an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire. Speaking on Sunday, Berri argued that the primary obstacle to ending hostilities is the continuation of Israeli military operations across Lebanon.
He accused Israel of causing widespread displacement and destruction, saying thousands of Lebanese civilians have been forced from their homes while villages and residential areas continue to suffer extensive damage.
Berri stressed that any meaningful de-escalation would require firm international guarantees ensuring a complete halt to Israeli military actions.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that its troops had taken control of the strategically important Beaufort Castle area after advancing into the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al-Saluki regions in southern Lebanon.
According to the military, the operation aims to establish operational control over key terrain while weakening Hezbollah's military infrastructure in the area. The IDF stated that Hezbollah had previously used the Beaufort Ridge as a command and operational hub from which numerous attacks were launched against Israel.
Prime Minister Netanyahu also confirmed that he had instructed the military to broaden its ground operations inside Lebanon as part of Israel's ongoing campaign against the Iran-backed group.
The escalation comes after an Israeli soldier from an elite commando unit was killed on Monday in southern Lebanon when a Hezbollah-launched explosive drone struck military positions. Three additional soldiers were wounded in the attack, including one who was reported to be in serious condition.
The incident occurred near the village of Yohmor, where fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants has intensified in recent days.
The Israeli military said Hezbollah continued launching rockets and drones towards northern Israel throughout Monday morning. While several projectiles were intercepted by air defence systems, others landed in open areas, causing no reported casualties.
The IDF also announced that it had destroyed the launcher used in a rocket attack targeting the northeastern Israeli city of Tiberias on Sunday night. No injuries were reported in that strike.
As military operations expand and both sides continue to exchange fire, diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire remain stalled, with each side accusing the other of prolonging the conflict. The latest developments underscore the fragile security situation along the Israel-Lebanon border and the growing risk of further escalation in the region.