Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered intensified military strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, following demands from far-right ministers for a full-scale offensive. The escalation, which breaches a fragile ceasefire, comes after a deadly Hezbollah drone attack and amid US-Iran peace talks. The conflict has killed over 3,100 people in Lebanon and displaced more than one million.
Netanyahu intensifies Hezbollah strikes
- ▪Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to intensify strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon on May 25, 2026
- ▪Hezbollah retaliated by carrying out 22 drone and rocket attacks on Israeli targets, including soldiers, tanks, and barracks
- ▪In a video statement, Benjamin Netanyahu said he told the military to "deal them a crushing blow" and "increase the intensity" of strikes
- ▪Following the order, the Israeli military launched strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure in the Bekaa Valley and other areas of Lebanon
Far-right ministers demand Lebanon offensive
- ▪The order to escalate followed demands from far-right ministers in Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition for a full-scale offensive in Lebanon
- ▪National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for a return to "high-intensity warfare" and for Israel to conquer land up to the Zahrani River
- ▪Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich demanded that "for every explosive drone, 10 buildings must fall in Beirut."
Fragile Lebanon ceasefire violations
- ▪Since the April 16 ceasefire, Israeli attacks have killed more than 400 people in Lebanon, including paramedics and emergency workers
- ▪An Israeli soldier was killed by a Hezbollah drone strike in southern Lebanon on May 25, 2026
- ▪Ten Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire was agreed on April 16
- ▪A ceasefire nominally in place since April 16 has been frequently violated, with both Israel and Hezbollah continuing to trade fire
US-Iran deal negotiations
- ▪The escalation occurs amid negotiations between the US and Iran for a broader deal to end the regional war that began in February
- ▪US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Israel has "every right to respond" to Hezbollah attacks, even during a ceasefire
- ▪Iran insists that any peace agreement must include a ceasefire in Lebanon, calling it a "non-negotiable principle."
Lebanon conflict casualties
- ▪Since March 2, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed 3,185 people, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health
- ▪Hezbollah's attacks have killed more than 25 Israeli soldiers and civilians during the same period
- ▪Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Israel's military offensive has "eliminated... over 600 terrorists."
Israeli occupation security zone
- ▪The escalation announcement on May 25 coincided with Lebanon's Liberation Day, which commemorates the 2000 end of an 18-year Israeli occupation
- ▪The current round of fighting began after the US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28, and Hezbollah retaliated for an Israeli strike
- ▪Israel occupies a swath of Lebanese territory it has declared a "security zone," where its troops remain
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