The Middle East is slowly moving towards its most dangerous moment in recent decades. Israel and the United States have launched a joint offensive against Iran. Tehran, in turn, targets Iran and US military bases in neighboring countries. The nations of the world are divided over who is right and who is wrong. At the same time, Israel has turned its attention to Lebanon and is again attacking the capital, Beirut, with airstrikes; This time, it’s not just about Hezbollah’s weapons.
On Monday, Israel said it was launching a full campaign against Hezbollah.
They are the direct consequences of a much larger conflict: the joint US-Israeli strikes against Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei over the weekend.
Here’s how we got here and why it’s important.
Iran’s supreme leader Ayotllah Khamenei dies
On February 28, 2026, US and Israeli forces launched a broad military campaign against Iran, codenamed Operation Epic Fury (US assault) and Operation Lion’s Roar (Israeli), targeting military installations, intelligence headquarters, and senior commanders. The attacks killed Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader for nearly four decades, sending shock waves through the region and global markets.
Hezbollah, Iran’s most powerful regional proxy, refused to stand still. On March 1, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for rocket fire into northern Israel (the first such attack since the November 2024 ceasefire), calling it “revenge for the Supreme Leader’s blood.”
Israel’s response was swift and forceful.
Why Israel is attacking Lebanon right now
Israel’s military said it was attacking Hezbollah targets across Lebanon after the group launched missiles and drones toward Israel in retaliation for Khamenei’s assassination.
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But the roots of this go far deeper than just a weekend.
Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shiite Islamist political organization, has served as Iran’s main proxy since its formation in 1982, with Tehran providing between $700 million and $1 billion annually in funding, weapons, training and political support through the IRGC, according to Euronews.
For Israel, neutralizing Hezbollah is not just a military strategy: it is about cutting Tehran’s long arm on its northern border.
Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in November 2024 after more than a year of cross-border fighting. The truce required both sides to end hostilities, with Lebanon responsible for preventing armed groups from attacking Israel and Israel committed to ending offensive operations. The Times of Israel That agreement is now effectively dead.
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The IDF said it “will operate against Hezbollah’s decision to join the campaign and will not allow the organization to constitute a threat to the State of Israel.” The military added that the troops had prepared for this scenario and are ready for a conflict “on all fronts.” fox news
What is happening on the ground?
The Israeli military issued “urgent” evacuation notices to residents of more than 50 villages across southern Lebanon, warning them to move at least 1,000 meters away and stating that “anyone present near Hezbollah elements, installations and combat assets puts their lives at risk,” the BBC reported.
So far, 31 people in Lebanon have been killed and nearly 150 wounded in Israeli attacks.
The Israel Defense Forces said they carried out heavy attacks in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Hezbollah’s stronghold, after the group attacked northern Israel.
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Lebanon’s government itself is caught in a brutal bind. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned Hezbollah’s rocket launches as “irresponsible” and said Lebanon “will not allow the country to be dragged into new adventures.” But Hezbollah answers to Tehran, not Beirut.
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Iran’s proxy war strategy
Tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel have risen sharply since the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, during which Israel systematically weakened Iranian-backed militias across the Middle East, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
According to the United Nations, Israel has killed more than 300 people in Lebanon, including some 127 civilians, since the 2024 ceasefire. From January to the end of November 2025, Israeli forces carried out nearly 1,600 attacks across the country.
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Israel said each of its attacks targeted Hezbollah infrastructure, but critics, including the UN, have called for an investigation into civilian damage.
Now that Hezbollah has formally re-entered the fight, the ceasefire is over and Lebanon faces another devastating escalation. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam harshly criticized Hezbollah for attacking Iran. He said he will not allow Lebanon to be dragged into the conflict.
أياً كانت الجهة التي تقف وراءها، فإنّ عملية إطلاق الصواريخ من جنوب لبنان عمل غير مسؤول ومشبوه، ويعرّض امن لبنان وسلامته للخطر ويمنح اسرائيل الذرائع لمواصلة اعتداءاتها عليه.
لن نسمح بجر البلاد إلى مغامرات جديدة، وسنتخذ كل الإجراءات اللازمة لتوقيف الفاعلين وحماية اللبنانين.— Nawaf Salam نواف سلام (@nawafsalam) March 2, 2026
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