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2026 Hezbollah–Israel strikes

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2026 Hezbollah–Israel strikes
Part of the Hezbollah–Israel conflict (2023–present) and the 2026 Iran war
Date2 March 2026 – present (4 days)
Location
Northern Israel and Lebanon
Status Ongoing
Belligerents
 Israel
Lebanon[a]
France[b]
Commanders and leaders
Naim Qassem
Palestinian Islamic Jihad Adham Adnan al-Othman X
Units involved
See order of battle
Casualties and losses
 10 injured[7] [8]
123 killed, 683 injured in Lebanon[9]

On 2 March 2026, during the ongoing war with Iran between Israel and the United States, Hezbollah, an Iranian-allied proxy in Lebanon, began launching strikes on Israel in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.[10][11] In response, Israel began launching strikes in Beirut, the Lebanese capital. The attack is a major escalation in the wider conflict throughout the Middle East.[12][13]

Background

Main articles: Hezbollah–Israel conflict (2023–present) and 2026 Iran–United States crisis

In the aftermath of the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, Israel and the Lebanese Shia militia Hezbollah have been engaged in conflict, as part of a longer stretch of hostilities between the two since the latter's founding in 1982. Hezbollah launched strikes against Israel for a year after the 7 October attacks, which it said was in solidarity with Palestinians following the 7 October attacks and beginning of Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip.[14][15] In response, Israel invaded southern Lebanon in October 2024, pulling out after a U.S-brokered ceasefire at the end of November, but not before killing Hezbollah's leader, cleric Hasan Nasrallah. Between November 2024 and March 2026 however, several ceasefire violations occurred between the two, with Israel still launching near daily attacks into Lebanon a year after the ceasefire.[16]

On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel initiated a joint strike campaign against Iran, the culmination of a geopolitical crisis that had begun around the turn of the year. Hezbollah condemned the attacks, stating "we are confident that the American and Israeli enemy will receive a great slap and will reap nothing but failure from its tyrannical, criminal aggression."[17] During the campaign, Israeli strikes killed the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei; following Iranian confirmation of his death on 1 March, Hezbollah's secretary-general Naim Qassem voted to retaliate and "undertake our duty of confronting the aggression", stating that Hezbollah would not leave "the field of honor and resistance."[18]

Strikes

2 March

On 2 March, Hezbollah launched several projectiles into northern Israel, the first time it had done so since the 2024 ceasefire, targeting a missile defense site south of Haifa.[10] The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed to have intercepted one projectile originating from Lebanon, letting several others fall into open sites.[19] In response, Israeli jets bombed the Lebanese capital of Beirut at 3am local time,[20] issuing evacuation orders to local civilians in 50 villages across Southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley.[21] The Israeli military claimed it carried out “precise and targeted” strikes against “senior terrorist elements of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the Beirut area" and “a central terrorist element of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in southern Lebanon.”[22] Early reports suggested that the intended targets were Naim Qassem and Mohammad Raad.[23][23] Later Al Hadath reported that Raad's whereabouts were unknown and stated that his body was being searched for in the rubble.[24][25] The IDF said that Hezbollah intelligence chief, Hussain Makled, was killed in the strikes.[26]

3 March

Hezbollah fired missiles and drones targeting three Israeli bases, Ramat David airbase, the Meron monitoring base and Camp Yitzhak.[11][27] Israel executed airstrikes on Hezbollah strong holds and also targeted Al-Manar TV's headquarters in Beirut.[28] Later on in the day, Israeli forces were ordered to seize positions within Lebanon.[29] Israel said that its military had seized "strategic areas" in southern Lebanon while ordering nearby Lebanese towns to evacuate.[30]

4 March

Hezbollah launch drone and missiles into Israel, in attempt to hit bases and oil and gas infrastructures.[31] Hezbollah anti-tank fire caused moderate injuries to two Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon, making them the first Israeli injuries of the conflict.[7] Israel launched strikes eliminating the communications centers of Hezbollah, al-Manar TV station and al-Nour radio station.[32] More strikes were focused on villages in southern Lebanon, used by Hezbollah.[31] Following Hezbollah's continues attacks, Israel issued an immediate urgent evacuation warning to South Lebanon residents, telling them to move north of the Litani River.[33] UN peacekeeping force reported Israeli soldiers have entered several towns and villages in Southern Lebanon, including: Kfar Kila, Houla, Kfar Shouba, Yaroun and Khiam.[34]

Israel carried out an incursion into southern Syria, shelling the area between Jamla and Saisoun in Daraa Governorate, and arrested four civilians. Israel accused Syria of deploying combat units to the Syrian Golan Heights, stating that it will not allow the Hezbollah–Israel strikes to be used as a pretext to "harm the Druze" in southern Syria and demanded the Syrian government to prevent Iraqi militias from crossing Syrian territory toward Golan Heights.[35][36]

5 March

UNIFIL published that since 2 March it monitored over 210 missiles fired by Hezbollah into Israel.[37] Israel killed a Hamas official in a strikes on Beirut, as well as several strikes early in the day, including two in the Hezbollah stronghold of south Beirut. More attacks targeting Hezbollah facilities and operatives, as it renewed its evacuation warning to residence in Southern Lebanon, close to sites it will target.[38][39][40] At midday, the IDF published an immediate evacuation notice to the southern suburbs of Beirut, specifically Bourj el-Barajneh, Hadath, Haret Hreik and Chiyah. Residence were advised by the IDF to move north and east.[41]

6 March

Hezbollah conducted a series of attacks on Israel and Israeli forces, launching rockets and artillery shells toward the Golan Heights and Haifa.[42]

During the night and morning after issuing advance warnings to minimize civilian casualties, Israel launched a series of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah headquarters located in ten high-rise buildings in Beirut. The strikes also targeted warehouses where drones used in attacks against Israel were reportedly stored.[43] A Hezbollah projectile fired near the Lebanese border caused injuries to 8 Israeli soldiers, five of them severe.[44]

Casualties

Initially, Lebanon's Health Ministry reported at least 31 people killed and 149 injured in the strikes, with 20 people killed and 91 others were wounded in Beirut's southern suburbs and 11 people killed and 58 others were wounded in southern Lebanon.[22] Civilian displacement has been significant, with families fleeing southern areas toward cities like Sidon.[13] At night casualties rose to 52 deaths and 154 injuries per the ministry.[22]

In the afternoon, the IDF announced that head of Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters, Hussein Makled, was killed in the overnight strikes in Beirut. Local media also reported the death of the brother of the late Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah along with his wife as a result of the strikes on Haret Hreik.[45] Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Lebanon announced that its commander, Adham Adnan al-Othman, was killed in Beirut's southern suburbs.[46]

Reactions

Lebanese government

On 2 March 2026, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned Hezbollah's rocket and drone strikes from southern Lebanon, calling them irresponsible acts outside the authority of the Lebanese state that endanger national security. While he emphasized that all military action must fall under the government's control, he has not formally declared Hezbollah outlawed, focusing instead on preventing unauthorized armed operations.[47][48]

Following an emergency Cabinet meeting convened early in the day amid the escalating strikes, Salam announced a total ban on all military activities by Hezbollah, demanding the group surrender its weapons to the state and restrict itself to political activities only. He affirmed that decisions on war and peace rest exclusively with the state, rejecting any unauthorized actions from Lebanese territory, and called on security forces to prevent such violations and arrest those responsible.[22]

The National News Agency reported that Justice minister Adel Nassar requested the public prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, Jamal Hajjar, and the government commissioner at the Military Court to assign the security forces with immediately arresting those involved in launching rockets from southern Lebanon toward Israel.[22] Following Hezbollah's continued attacks on Israel, it has lost its support among the Lebanese people and even within its own Shi'ite block. The voices calling against the organization and its aggression are growing louder.[49]

Hezbollah

Hezbollah condemned the Lebanese government after it banned Hezbollah's military and security activities, stating "We understand the Lebanese government's impotence in the face of the brutal Zionist enemy, which violates national sovereignty, occupies land, and poses a continuous threat to the country's security and stability", and that it is the government's right "to decide on war and peace", concluding that "given this clear weakness and deficiency, we see no justification for Prime Minister Salam and his government to take such aggressive measures against the Lebanese who reject the occupation."[50] Hezbollah later said that its attack was a "defensive act" after over a year of Israeli attacks despite a truce. It added that "for fifteen months, Israeli aggression against Lebanon has continued through killing, destruction, bulldozing, and all forms of criminal acts."[12]

Israel

The IDF said that it would "not allow the organization [Hezbollah] to pose a threat to the State of Israel and harm the residents of the north", further accusing it of "destroying the state of Lebanon."[51] IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin said "Hezbollah opened fire last night. We warned it. It will pay a heavy price." When asked about a possible land invasion into Lebanon, Defrin stated that "all options are on the table."[51][failed verification] Israel also indirectly threatened to strike Lebanese government targets unless it intervened against Hezbollah. Lebanese foreign minister Youssef Rajji revealed that Lebanon had "received warnings indicating that any intervention on the part of Hezbollah could prompt Israel to strike infrastructure targets."[52]

International

France condemned Hezbollah's attacks against Israel as "irresponsible" and expressed its solidarity "in the face of the ordeal Lebanon is going through due to the irresponsible decision of Hezbollah". It also expressed solidarity with Israeli civilians affected by the Iranian attacks.[53]

See also

References

  1. ^ The Lebanese army arrested armed Hezbollah members.[2]
  2. ^ Providing armoured vehicles and operational and logistical support to the Lebanese army.[3]
  1. ^ Seth J. Frantzman (4 March 2026). "Lebanon Islamic Group claims headquarters targeted by IDF strikes". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  2. ^ Fabian, Emanuel (3 March 2026). "Lebanese army reportedly arrests 12 armed members of Hezbollah". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  3. ^ "France to provide armoured vehicles, operational support in Lebanon". Al Jazeera. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  4. ^ "Lebanese army reportedly arrests 12 armed members of Hezbollah". The Times of Israel. 3 March 2025.
  5. ^ "شهداء الصيام شهداؤنا يصومون الصوم الابدي الشهيد عبدالله محمد شبيب". 4 March 2025.
  6. ^ "شهداء الصيام شهداؤنا يصومون "كشافة الرسالة" نعت شهيدها المسعف حسين ابراهيم فارس". 4 March 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Update from Aaron Boxerman". The New York Times. 4 March 2026. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  8. ^ "Five soldiers seriously wounded by Hezbollah rocket as Air Force pounds beirut". The Times of Israel. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  9. ^ "Lebanon's death toll rises again". Al Jazeera English.
  10. ^ a b "Hezbollah Claims Rocket, Drone Strike On Israeli Missile Defence Site Near Haifa". Bernama. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
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  12. ^ a b "Beirut, Lebanon, March 2, 2026 (AFP) - Hezbollah says attack on Israel was 'defensive act'". Namibia Press Agency. Agence France-Presse. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  13. ^ a b Ravid, Barak (2 March 2026). "Hezbollah launches missiles at Israel from Lebanon, Israeli military says". Axios (website). Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  14. ^ Goldenberg, Tia; Shurafa, Wafaa (8 October 2023). "Hezbollah and Israel exchange fire as Israeli soldiers battle Hamas on second day of surprise attack". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  15. ^ "Israel, Hezbollah exchange artillery, rocket fire". Reuters. 8 October 2023. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  16. ^ Roger Cohen; David Guttenfelder (26 November 2025). "'Imperial Israel' in the New Middle East". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  17. ^ "Iran's weakened proxies condemn US-Israeli strikes without carrying out retaliatory attacks". CNN. 28 February 2026. Archived from the original on 28 February 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  18. ^ "Live updates: Trump says Iran operation could take "four weeks or less," 3 U.S. troops killed". CBS News. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  19. ^ Lehmann, Noam (2 March 2026). "Hezbollah confirms it fired rockets at Israel as 'revenge' for Khamenei". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Archived from the original on 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  20. ^ Christou, William (2 March 2026). "Israel strikes Hezbollah in Lebanon after Iran-allied group launches missiles over the border". The Guardian.
  21. ^ "Israel kills 31 in Beirut strike following Hezbollah rocket attack". Al Jazeera. 2 March 2025.
  22. ^ a b c d e "Israel issues dozen evacuation orders to residents of Burj al-Barajneh, Bekaa and the South; threatens strikes on al-Qard al-Hassan | LIVE". L'Orient Today. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  23. ^ a b Lehmann, Noam (2 March 2026). "Head of Hezbollah parliamentary bloc said killed in IDF strike on Beirut". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Archived from the original on 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  24. ^ ""الحدث": البحث عن جثة نائب أمين عام حزب الله محمد رعد لا يزال مستمراً". MTV Lebanon. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  25. ^ "Hezbollah Parliamentary Chief Mohammad Raad Killed In Israeli Airstrikes On Beirut". Archived from the original on 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
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  31. ^ a b "Israeli airstrike kills 4 in Eastern Lebanon". Nepal News. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  32. ^ "Union condemns strikes on al-Manar and al-Nour, Hezbollah says broadcasting will continue". L'Orient Today. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  33. ^ "Israeli army issues urgent evacuation warning to South Lebanon residents, move north of Litani River: Avichay Adraee". LBCIV7. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  34. ^ "Israeli forces have entered several Lebanese villages: UNIFIL source to AFP". LBCIV7. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  35. ^ Mariamne Everett; Caolán Magee; Virginia Pietromarchi; Fiona Kelliher. "Iran death toll at 1,045; Turkiye says missile destroyed in east Med". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  36. ^ Sh (3 March 2026). "Israeli Incursion in Quneitra and Accusations of Syrian Military Deployment in the Golan". The Syrian Observer. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  37. ^ "LBCI sources: UNIFIL monitors 210 rockets fired from Lebanon toward Israel since early Monday". LBCIV7. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  38. ^ "Israeli strike targets vehicle on Zahle-Karak highway". LBCIV7. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  39. ^ "Israeli army renews evacuation warning to residents located south of Litani River". LBCIV7. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  40. ^ Ali, Taz; Fulton, Adam (5 March 2026). "Middle East crisis live: Israel launches fresh strikes on Tehran; Iran claims to have targeted Kurdish groups in Iraq". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  41. ^ "Israeli army issues immediate evacuation warning for Beiruts southern suburbs". LBCIV7. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
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  44. ^ null (6 March 2026). "Update from Euan Ward". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  45. ^ "استشهاد شقيق الراحل السيد محمد حسين فضل الله وزوجته في الغارة الإسرائيلية على حارة حريك". Lebanon24 (in Arabic). 1 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
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  48. ^ "PM Salam affirms no military action outside state authority in rebuke to Hezbollah". LBCIV7. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  49. ^ ""الحزب" يعلن العصيان على الحكومة بـ"الحرب المفتوحة"". نداء الوطن. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  50. ^ "Hezbollah slams Lebanese government's 'impotence' towards Israel". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  51. ^ a b Silkoff, Shira; Fabian, Emanuel; Lehmann, Noam; Agencies (2 March 2026). "IDF strikes in Beirut after Hezbollah enters fray and fires rockets, drones at north". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Archived from the original on 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
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