Helicopters and artillery were used to target six villages, although no immediate reports of casualties have been confirmed.

This escalation comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. On Saturday, the Lebanese Resistance movement issued a warning to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) against any Israeli attempts to widen the conflict. Hezbollah has been conducting regular attacks against Israeli military positions since early October, in retaliation for Israeli offensives against Gaza and southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah’s warning followed increased rhetoric from Israel after the Majdal Shams incident. The Lebanese movement rejected any involvement or responsibility for the deadly strike on the village of Majdal Shams in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, countering Israeli claims.

Hezbollah stated that their operations are in support of the Palestinian resistance in Gaza and in response to Israeli attacks on Lebanon. The conflict intensified after Israel waged war on Gaza on October 7, following an unprecedented operation by Hamas. Since then, Israel has imposed a complete siege on Gaza, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water to over two million residents. (ILKHA)