Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on March 12, 2026, that the military is preparing to expand operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, citing the need to restore security to northern communities. The statement followed intensified cross-border strikes, including Israeli airstrikes on Beirut overnight that reportedly killed eight people.
Hezbollah launched approximately 200 rockets into Israel this week, with three barrages coinciding with missile attacks from Iran. The attacks triggered alarms across Israel, causing minor injuries and property damage. Israeli warplanes also conducted strikes against Iranian government infrastructure on Thursday, though details remain undisclosed.
Tensions have escalated sharply since February 28, when a US-Israeli operation resulted in the death of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Hezbollah, which receives Iranian support, began retaliatory strikes days later, prompting Israel to seize border areas in southern Lebanon on March 3. Analysts warn the conflict risks spiraling into a wider regional war, with implications for global energy markets and Middle East stability.
