Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have rapidly increased since a deadly Israeli airstrike in Beirut that killed at least 29 people. In retaliation, Hezbollah carried out heavy rocket attacks against Israel, hitting areas near Tel Aviv, forcing the Israeli army to give a potent response.

Hezbollah Hits Tel Aviv with Rocket Attacks

Hezbollah fired a significant wave of rockets on Sunday toward Tel Aviv and neighbourhoods throughout. The militant group, which patrols parts of southern Lebanon, said it fired precision missiles at military installations in and around Tel Aviv. The rocket fire is in response to a powerful Israeli airstrike Saturday morning that hit Hezbollah’s strongholds in southern Beirut, killing dozens and causing extensive damage.

Reports by the Israel Defense Forces claim that at least 250 rockets were fired from Lebanon. Israel’s defence systems intercepted a significant portion of them. But several of them struck populated areas. In the eastern Tel Aviv suburb of Petah Tikva, homes caught fire, and some residents suffered minor injuries from shrapnel.

Israeli Strikes on Beirut Intensify

In response to the rocket attacks, Israel escalated its shelling of southern Beirut, a known Hezbollah stronghold. The Israeli military hit 12 Hezbollah command centres in the densely populated Dahiyeh district, destroying multiple apartment blocks. The IDF declared these strikes targeted key Hezbollah positions that were “deliberately located among civilian buildings.” The death toll from Saturday’s airstrike in central Beirut is now 29, and dozens are wounded.

Neither the Lebanese Health Ministry nor the Israeli military sources have divulged specific details on what was hit. Still, the airstrikes represent one of the most intense assaults on the Lebanese capital since hostilities began.

Ceasefire Efforts Face Obstacles Amid Renewed Violence

As the violence escalates, diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire continue. U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein recently visited Beirut and Israel, noting progress in ceasefire negotiations. However, significant challenges remain. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, emphasised that a U.S.-led ceasefire proposal is awaiting approval from the Israeli government, with discussions hinging on a return to the conditions of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701.

The settlement, which brought an end to the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, forces Hezbollah to retreat its operatives behind a safe distance from the Israeli border and obliges the Lebanese Army to deploy in a buffer zone determined by the two parties. The renewed attack has sparked fears that long-term peace may be impossible.

Caught in the Crossfire: Lebanon Army

Tensions have been compounded by an Israeli airstrike that accidentally hit a Lebanese Army center near the southern city of Tyre, killing one soldier and wounding 18 others. The Israeli military regretted what occurred, insisting their operations targeted only Hezbollah, not the Lebanese Armed Forces. Lebanon caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the strike, terming it a direct challenge to the continuing ceasefire negotiations.

In a demonstration of solidarity with Lebanon, Josep Borrell announced that the European Union would commit €200 million ($208 million) to enhance the Lebanese Army’s presence in southern Lebanon, create stability within the region, and preserve the terms of U.N. Resolution 1701.

Uncertain Path to Ceasefire

While U.S. and European efforts to mediate a ceasefire continue, Israeli media outlets report mixed signals regarding progress. Some sources suggest Israel is moving towards an agreement, while others indicate that unresolved issues remain. The Israeli Security Cabinet convened on Sunday to discuss the situation as the international community closely monitors developments.

Escalating conflict: Over a million people fled their homes in Lebanon as renewed hostilities in Gaza started in October 2023. Heavy fire exchanges between the sides, along with diplomatic pressure for a halt in hostilities and a return to negotiations, none of which augur well on the way to sustainable peace. With humanitarian tolls mounting on both sides of the border, violence continues.