Israeli military launches sustained offensive against Hezbollah as regional conflict spreads into Lebanon

IDF Chief Eyal Zamir announces a days-long offensive against Hezbollah after the group fires rockets at Haifa in 'revenge' for Khamenei's death.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 2, 2026, 9:41 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Times of Israel

Hezbollah Enters Regional Hostilities

The Hezbollah terror group officially entered the ongoing conflict between Israel and the United States on Monday morning, launching what it described as a "barrage of precision missiles and a swarm of drones" toward northern Israel. Sirens were activated in the city of Haifa and the Upper Galilee shortly after 1:00 AM as the group sought to retaliate for the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. This marks the first time the Iranian proxy has targeted Israel since the November 2024 ceasefire, effectively ending a period of relative quiet along the northern border.

Israeli Military Offensive Response

In immediate retaliation for the rocket fire, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir announced that the military has shifted from a defensive posture to a sustained "offensive campaign." Zamir indicated that the operation is expected to last for several days and involves waves of airstrikes designed to dismantle Hezbollah’s operational infrastructure. The IDF has emphasized that it will not allow the organization to pose a continuous threat to the residents of northern Israel, signaling a significant escalation in the scope of the current regional war.

Strikes on Beirut and Southern Lebanon

Israeli airstrikes have targeted dozens of Hezbollah sites, including the Dahiyeh suburb of Beirut, a known stronghold for the organization. Military sources confirmed that senior members of the terror group were targeted in the capital, while strikes in southern Lebanon hit headquarters and a vehicle carrying elite Radwan Force operatives. Witnesses reported more than a dozen explosions in Beirut, describing the bombardment as the most intensive the city has experienced since the 2024 conflict. The IDF also issued urgent evacuation warnings for civilians in nearly 50 villages across southern Lebanon, instructing them to move at least 1,000 meters away from suspected Hezbollah positions.