Netanyahu vows to ‘crush’ Hezbollah as Israel escalates strikes in southern Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to “crush” the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia, as Israel intensified military operations in southern Lebanon.

The escalation followed Monday’s U.S. strikes on Iran and unfolded alongside continuing U.S.-Iran peace negotiations. Iran has insisted that any broader agreement include a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon, making the fighting there a central issue in the regional diplomacy.

Lebanese media reported at least 10 casualties from recent Israeli airstrikes. The clashes have included fighting along a strategic Lebanese river after overnight strikes, according to the reporting cited in the research.

The developments place Lebanon at the center of a wider contest involving Israel, Hezbollah, Iran and the United States. While negotiators in Qatar discuss terms that include a Lebanon ceasefire, Israel’s leadership is signaling a harder military line against Hezbollah in the south.