The Israeli military announced on Tuesday that it has achieved its primary objectives against Iran-backed Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, according to the Jerusalem Post. Israel’s Northern Command reported the destruction of most Hezbollah infrastructure along the Lebanon-Israel border, with large quantities of weapons seized or neutralized. The announcement opens the possibility for a diplomatic approach to ending the conflict in northern Israel.
After more than a year of hostilities with Hezbollah, which intensified following an unprecedented attack by Hamas on October 7 last year, Israel has been engaged in sustained military operations across the region. Israeli retaliation to Hezbollah’s incursions into northern Israel has reportedly resulted in the loss of over 42,000 Palestinian lives in Gaza and significant civilian casualties in Lebanon. The IDF’s recent escalations in Lebanon peaked on September 23 with an assault that killed nearly 500 people and injured 1,600 in one day. According to Israel, among those killed was Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, alongside much of the group’s top leadership.
In the latest strikes overnight, Israel targeted a dozen Lebanese towns, resulting in the deadliest day yet for the region, with at least 60 reported deaths on Tuesday alone. The IDF stated that while the bulk of Hezbollah’s infrastructure has been dismantled, operations remain underway in certain Lebanese villages.
While Israeli officials are open to a diplomatic settlement, military officials indicate that failure to reach a resolution could lead to ongoing IDF ground operations and airstrikes in Lebanese territories currently occupied by Israeli forces.
Hezbollah has named Naim Qassem, a senior figure in the group for over 30 years, as its new leader following the death of Nasrallah. Qassem’s election comes amid rising regional tensions, fueled by rare direct hostilities between Israel and Iran. Over the weekend, Israeli warplanes targeted Iranian missile sites in response to a missile volley from Iran on October 1. Iran’s foreign ministry has signaled its intention to respond with “all available tools.”
As the toll of Israeli bombardments in Lebanon rises—claiming over 2,700 lives since October of last year—the region watches anxiously for signs of peace or further escalation.
