****

Israel’s military actions in Lebanon are not a war against the Lebanese state itself but a sustained campaign primarily targeting Hezbollah, the powerful Iran-backed militant group. The fighting, which has intensified in cycles since late 2023, stems from deep-rooted hostility, border security concerns, and broader regional rivalries involving Iran. As of late April 2026, the conflict continues despite multiple fragile ceasefires, with both sides accusing each other of violations.

### Roots of the Conflict
Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel’s founding in 1948. Major flashpoints include Israel’s 1982 invasion to counter PLO attacks, its occupation of southern Lebanon until 2000, and the 2006 war with Hezbollah. Hezbollah, established in 1982 with Iranian support, emerged as a resistance force against Israeli presence and remains ideologically committed to opposing Israel’s existence.

The current round of violence was triggered after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and the subsequent Gaza war. In solidarity with Hamas, Hezbollah began launching rockets and drones into northern Israel, displacing tens of thousands of Israeli civilians. Israel responded with airstrikes, targeted assassinations (including Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in 2024), and a ground incursion into southern Lebanon in October 2024. A U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect in November 2024, but it has been repeatedly strained.

In early 2026, amid Israeli and U.S. actions against Iran—including the reported killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—Hezbollah resumed attacks. Israel retaliated with intensified strikes, expanded ground operations, and efforts to establish a buffer zone up to the Litani River.

### Israel’s Perspective: Self-Defense and Deterrence
Israeli officials describe the campaign as necessary self-defense. Hezbollah possesses a vast arsenal of rockets, drones, and fighters capable of striking deep into Israel. The primary goals are:
– Degrading Hezbollah’s military capabilities, particularly south of the Litani River, in line with UN resolutions and ceasefire terms.
– Preventing cross-border incursions similar to October 7.
– Enforcing ceasefire agreements after repeated alleged violations by Hezbollah.

Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, have emphasized the need for “full freedom of action” to secure the northern border and protect displaced citizens. The strategy is often characterized as “mowing the grass”—periodically weakening Iranian proxy forces to maintain long-term deterrence.

### Hezbollah and Lebanese Views
Hezbollah frames its actions as legitimate resistance to Israeli aggression and occupation, part of the wider “axis of resistance” supporting Palestinians and backed by Iran. The group claims its rocket and drone attacks are responses to Israeli violations.

Critics of Israel, including some UN experts, humanitarian organizations, and Lebanese voices, argue that the operations have been disproportionate, causing heavy civilian casualties, widespread displacement, and destruction in southern Lebanon and Shia-majority areas. They accuse Israel of collective punishment and using the conflict to expand territorial influence. Lebanon’s weak central government has been unable to fully disarm Hezbollah or assert control over its southern border, further complicating any resolution.

### Current Situation
As of late April 2026, ceasefires remain shaky. Israel maintains targeted strikes and positions in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah conducts sporadic rocket and drone attacks. Casualties on both sides have been significant, with thousands killed in Lebanon since 2023 and ongoing humanitarian challenges. Diplomatic efforts, often mediated by the United States, aim for a longer-term agreement that would see the Lebanese army deployed in the south, but progress is slow amid mutual distrust.

The Israel-Hezbollah conflict is deeply intertwined with the Iran-Israel rivalry, internal Lebanese politics, and the broader Middle East turmoil. Both sides present their actions as defensive necessities, yet the repeated cycles of violence have exacted a heavy toll on civilians and border communities. A lasting resolution would require addressing underlying issues of security, sovereignty, and regional proxy dynamics.