Israel’s defense minister escalated warnings Monday, saying there would be “no calm in Beirut” if Hezbollah attacks continued, and pledging to establish a military controlled zone along Lebanon’s Litani River. Israel Katz confirmed that strikes had already been ordered in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, a Hezbollah stronghold, and insisted that security in northern Israel depended on stability in Lebanon’s capital.
Katz said the Israel Defense Forces were pressing ahead with operations against Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure, aiming to push threats away from Israel’s northern border and secure the Litani area under Israeli control. He described the plan as creating a zone “free of weapons and terrorists.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced the message, vowing to expand operations deeper into Lebanon. On Friday, he declared much of southern Lebanon a “combat zone,” despite a ceasefire that officially took effect on April 17. Israel has since marked out a “Yellow Line” about 12 kilometers inside Lebanese territory, signaling its intent to maintain a buffer zone.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun condemned the escalation, calling Israel’s actions “a vicious and reprehensible aggression.” His remarks underscored growing alarm in Beirut over the widening scope of Israeli military activity and the potential for further destabilization. Hezbollah, meanwhile, has accused Israel of repeated ceasefire violations and vowed to continue resistance operations, raising fears of a prolonged confrontation.
The United Nations has expressed concern over the situation, warning that Israel’s expansion of military operations north of the border risks undermining Resolution 1701, which was designed to prevent armed groups from operating south of the Litani River. International observers have urged restraint, noting that both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire, fueling instability in a region already strained by months of violence.
Global powers are watching closely as the conflict threatens to spill over into wider regional tensions. Iran, a key backer of Hezbollah, has condemned Israel’s actions, while Western governments have called for renewed diplomacy to prevent escalation. The fighting has already disrupted energy markets, with oil prices climbing amid fears of supply chain disruptions in the Middle East. Analysts warn that if the conflict deepens, it could have far-reaching consequences for global stability and economic growth.
