Israel intensifies war on Lebanon after Hezbollah attack
Al Jazeera
March 2, 2026
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Israel has escalated its military campaign in Lebanon following a Hezbollah attack that targeted an Israeli military site in Haifa. This move has resulted in significant civilian casualties, with reports of at least 31 people killed and over 149 injured. The conflict has led to widespread displacement, as Israel issued evacuation orders to more than 50 towns and villages in southern and eastern Lebanon. The chaos on the ground mirrored the intensity of previous conflicts, including the devastating attacks in September 2024 that displaced over a million people.
The violence comes amid heightened tensions, triggered by Hezbollah’s response to the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tehran. Hezbollah justified its attack as retaliation for Khamenei’s killing and in defense of Lebanon against Israeli aggression. However, critics argue that Hezbollah’s actions have provided Israel with a pretext to intensify its operations, leading to widespread civilian suffering.
The United States has notably refrained from intervening, declaring the ceasefire agreed upon in November 2024 to be over. U.S. officials urged Lebanon to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, warning of consequences if it fails to do so. Meanwhile, the Lebanese government has outlawed Hezbollah’s military activities and ordered arrests for those involved
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 3/2/2026