Israel expands offensive against Hezbollah

The Iran-backed militias fired rockets at Haifa; latest escalation comes after Netanyahu vowed to continue fight

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ISRAEL ramped up its ground offensive against Hezbollah along the southern section of the Lebanese coast on Tuesday, deploying more troops and urging civilians near the Mediterranean to evacuate.

The Iran-backed Hezbollah group said it fired rockets at the Israeli port city of Haifa, after the Israeli military reported 85 projectiles crossing from Lebanon.

The latest escalation followed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's vow to fight a “sacred war” until Hezbollah and Hamas are defeated.

Israel expanded operations in Lebanon nearly a year after Hezbollah began exchanging fire in support of its ally, Hamas, following the Palestinian group's deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

While battling Hamas in Gaza, Israel has vowed to secure its northern border with Lebanon to allow tens of thousands of Israelis displaced by Hezbollah's cross-border fire to return home.

Both Hamas and Hezbollah have pledged no let-up against Israel, and on Tuesday Hezbollah's deputy leader Naim Qassem said the group would make it impossible for Israelis to return to the north.