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Lebanon has been on edge since late February, when the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran, and that conflict rapidly spilled over into Lebanon. When Israeli and American forces assassinated Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28, Hezbollah—a hybrid of political party and paramilitary force allied with Iran that has historically controlled much of southern Lebanon—retaliated by launching rockets and drones at an Israeli air defense base south of Haifa.
Since then, Israel has expanded both its war and its presence in Lebanon. Its campaign now includes ground incursions, so far limited, apparently aimed at establishing a demilitarized buffer zone south of the Litani River, which is about 20 miles north of Lebanon’s southern border, possibly extending a few miles further to the Zahrani River. This would leave something like a quarter of Lebanon’s current territory under Israeli control.
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This latest war is part of a long history of Israeli military action in Lebanon. Most immediately, back in 2024 an Israeli attack killed Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, along with many other leaders. Since then, the group has re-emerged militarily, though significantly weakened. Its new secretary-general, Naim Qassem, lacks the political influence and popular appeal of his predecessor.
Thanks to that weakness, in a historic shift, the Lebanese state agreed as part of a November 2024 cease-fire to disarm Hezbollah. Even so, since that day Israeli forces have continued near-daily strikes across Lebanon, killing hundreds, abducting dozens, and wounding thousands more. All told, Israeli forces have committed more than 15,000 cease-fire violations across land, sea, and air.
https://prospect.org/2026/04/10/lebanon-burning-hezbollah-iran-israel-war/
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