BEIRUT — The conflict between the US and Israel against Iran escalated in Lebanon overnight, as the militant group Hezbollah and the Israeli forces exchanged gunfire in the region.
Following the attacks that reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 31 individuals in Lebanon, the Lebanese authorities urged Hezbollah to “surrender its arms,” deeming any military actions by the organization as “unlawful.”
Hezbollah and Israeli Forces Clash
“The Lebanese government firmly and categorically opposes any military or security operations initiated from Lebanese soil that fall outside the purview of its legitimate institutions,” stated Prime Minister Nawaf Salam today following a cabinet session.
Throughout the night, Hezbollah fired several missiles from South Lebanon, triggering a strong response from Israel, which conducted multiple strikes on targets in South Lebanon and a southern district of Beirut. Open-source footage indicates that the missiles launched from South Lebanon were intercepted shortly after they were fired.
In a statement released today, Hezbollah declared that their assaults were a “valid defensive action” and were carried out in retaliation for the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Lebanese Government’s Stance
Retired Lebanese army general Maroun Hitti informed Breaking Defense that Hezbollah’s assault on Israel has “immediately shifted Lebanon from a fragile observer to an active combat zone,” characterizing the circumstances as “severe and unbalanced.”
According to Hitti in an interview with Breaking Defense, it involved “rocket and drone strikes originating from Lebanon, extensive Israeli counterattacks targeting Lebanese infrastructure, and precise elimination operations aimed at Hezbollah assets.”
Focus on Iran’s Affiliates
Casualties from Recent Attacks
Prior to the exchange, there was uncertainty regarding whether Hezbollah would participate in the conflict alongside their long-time supporter. The organization has suffered significant losses over the last two years due to Israeli military actions, including a remarkable operation where Israeli intelligence rigged thousands of Hezbollah’s pagers and walkie-talkies with explosives.
“Hezbollah in Lebanon has experienced significant degradation. Its top command structure has been dismantled down to lower operational tiers. Key weapons depots and infrastructure have been heavily targeted. The group has lost much of its operational autonomy in the south, and its logistical routes and tunnels have been compromised,” stated Ali Bakir, a defense analyst and professor at Qatar University, in an interview with Breaking Defense.
Hezbollah has not yet addressed the Lebanese government’s request, but meanwhile, analysts are closely monitoring Iran’s other longstanding allies, such as Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq and the Houthis in Yemen.
Calls for Disarmament of Hezbollah
Kristian Alexander, a defense and security expert located in the Gulf region, suggested that these groups are currently showing “restraint because escalating the situation at this point poses significant strategic risks for them and the nations that support them.
“Iraqi militias are under significant pressure from the Iraqi government to maintain national stability, while the Houthis, despite their capabilities, understand that increasing assaults on Red Sea shipping would provoke strong retaliatory actions from the United States and its allies,” he remarked.
According to analyst Ryan Bohl, the Iraqi group is “not a significant player,” yet he expressed surprise that the Houthis have not initiated attacks in the Red Sea.
“It is quite conceivable [that the] Houthis believe they gain very little politically from engaging in this specific conflict,” he remarked.
