Fears of a full-scale war between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon escalated on Thursday after an Israeli airstrike killed a senior Hezbollah commander.
Israel reported that the commander, Mohammad Naameh Nasser, was responsible for firing rockets into Israeli territory. In retaliation, Hezbollah — an organization supported by Iran and considered larger and more heavily armed than Hamas — launched another barrage of rockets.
Hezbollah’s attacks have intensified since Israel initiated its conflict in Gaza in response to Hamas’ terrorist attack on October 7. Hezbollah has declared that it will continue its rocket fire until a ceasefire is established in Gaza.
On Thursday, Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system intercepted rockets fired from southern Lebanon over the Upper Galilee region in northern Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported intercepting drones and other projectiles from southern Lebanon, noting that some debris caused fires on the ground. While no casualties were reported, the IDF stated it was targeting launch sites in southern Lebanon in response.
The cross-border conflict has resulted in significant casualties. As of June 26, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported at least 435 deaths on the Lebanese side, with around 90 civilians among the dead, according to Al Jazeera. In Israel, at least 27 people have been killed by Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks since October, including 10 civilians.
The violence has also triggered a mass exodus, with tens of thousands of people fleeing their homes in both northern Israel and southern Lebanon.
Israel and Hezbollah previously engaged in a devastating war in 2006. The U.S. government has expressed concern about the potential for a full-scale war, which could lead to Iranian proxy groups targeting American forces in the region. There have already been instances of such attacks, including a drone strike on a U.S. base in Jordan in January that killed three American troops.
The Biden administration is actively working, both publicly and behind the scenes, to prevent an escalation.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated on Wednesday that while Israel prefers a diplomatic solution, it is prepared to fight if necessary.