Israel Hezbollah strikes in Lebanon target Bekaa Valley sites as Benjamin Netanyahu warns of escalation

Israel’s air force struck Hezbollah-linked locations across Lebanon, including the eastern Bekaa Valley, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said attacks would grow stronger. The warning came after Hezbollah used fibre optic drones against Israeli forces. Lebanon’s state media later reported new strikes and shifting movement among residents in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

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In a video posted on social media on Monday, Netanyahu described the drone threat and promised a response. "We will hit them. Its true that they are shooting drones at us, fiber optic drones. We have a special team working on that and we will solve that too,\" Netanyahu said. \"What this requires of us now is to increase the blows, to increase the intensity. We will smite them hip and thigh.\"

Israel Hezbollah ceasefire talks and US warnings

Despite a US-brokered ceasefire that has been in place since April 17, daily exchanges continued. A US State Department official said on Monday that Hezbollah ignored repeated requests to stop. The official spoke anonymously due to lack of authorisation. The official added Israel would not be expected to absorb attacks on forces and civilians.

The US official said Hezbollah fired over a thousand drones and more than 700 rockets since April 17. The official said the fire aimed to derail ongoing Lebanon-Israel negotiations. The official also said the status quo is untenable. Israel and the United States are seeking to have Hezbollah disarmed, the official added.

Last month, Lebanon and Israel started their first direct talks in over three decades. Meetings were held in Washington. Lebanese and Israeli military officials are to meet again on Friday. The meeting is set for the Pentagon. Talks are expected to focus on the ceasefire and related arrangements.

Israel Hezbollah strikes in Lebanon and reported casualties

Lebanon’s National News Agency said that after Netanyahu’s post, some residents began leaving Beirut’s southern suburbs. The area has a large Hezbollah presence. The agency also reported several airstrikes on Monday night. It said the strikes hit the eastern town of Mashghara in the Bekaa region.

Earlier Monday, an Israeli airstrike hit the southern village of Kfar Rumman, the NNA reported. It said four people were killed and three were wounded. The NNA also said Israeli drone strikes elsewhere in the south killed three people. One strike was reported on a road near the municipality of Kfar Rumman.

The Israel military said it struck more than 70 Hezbollah infrastructure sites through the day. Hezbollah, meanwhile, said it carried out eight attacks earlier on Monday. Hezbollah said one operation used a drone. It said the drone targeted Israeli troops in Misgav Am in northern Israel.

Israel Hezbollah conflict timeline and casualty figures

The latest Israel-Hezbollah war began on March 2 after Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel. This came two days after the US and Israel began attacks on Iran. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said more than 3,000 people were killed in Lebanon in the latest fighting.

Netanyahu’s office said 22 Israeli soldiers and a defence contractor were killed in or near southern Lebanon. It also said two civilians were killed in northern Israel. The State Department official said direct Lebanon-Israel talks could pressure Hezbollah. The official said strong Lebanese government control of a ceasefire would weaken Hezbollah’s narrative.

As airstrikes and drone attacks continued, officials kept pointing to the ceasefire track. Lebanon’s state media reported fresh strikes in the Bekaa region and deaths in the south. Israel reported dozens of strikes on Hezbollah sites. With Pentagon talks scheduled for Friday, the conflict stayed active despite the April 17 ceasefire.

With inputs from PTI