Tensions escalated on Tuesday as the Israeli military carried out a targeted strike in Beirut's southern suburbs against a senior Hezbollah commander. The strike was in retaliation for a rocket attack in the Golan Heights over the weekend, which resulted in the tragic deaths of 12 children. Hezbollah has denied involvement in the Golan Heights attack, but Israel claims that the strike in Beirut was aimed at the commander responsible for the incident.
Lebanon's Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib condemned the Israeli strike and announced plans to file a complaint with the United Nations. The Lebanese government expressed hope that Hezbollah's response would not lead to further escalation in the region.
Prior to the strike in Beirut, more rocket fire from south Lebanon resulted in the death of a civilian in northern Israel. The Israeli military reported 15 projectiles fired across the Lebanese border, with impacts in the Upper Galilee region. Israel's air force responded by targeting a Hezbollah observation post and "terror infrastructure" in south Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Hezbollah would face severe consequences for the attack in the Golan Heights. The United States expressed concerns about the potential for escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, despite efforts to contain the situation.
The recent hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah have mostly been confined to the frontier region, with both sides indicating a desire to avoid a broader conflict. However, the ongoing exchanges of fire and retaliatory strikes have raised fears about the risk of further escalation and the potential for a slide towards war in the region.