More than 50 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon following rocket and drone attacks launched by the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah into northern Israel, marking a significant escalation in the widening Middle East conflict.

The strikes came after Hezbollah fired projectiles toward Israel, saying the attacks were in protest against the US-Israeli killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during recent military operations in Iran.

Israel launches large-scale retaliatory strikes

According to Lebanese health authorities, at least 52 people were killed and more than 150 injured as Israeli forces targeted multiple locations in southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut.

Israel said the strikes were aimed at Hezbollah military infrastructure, command centres and weapons facilities. The Israeli military also reported eliminating several senior figures, including a Hezbollah intelligence official, during the operations.

The bombardment forced thousands of residents to flee from southern areas, with many families moving to safer locations as fears of a broader war intensified.

Hezbollah retaliates with rockets and drones

Hezbollah confirmed it launched rockets and drone attacks targeting northern Israel, including military installations and surveillance bases. The group said the attacks were in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s top leader and as part of its support for Iran.

Air raid sirens were triggered across several Israeli cities, though Israeli authorities said most projectiles were intercepted or landed in open areas.

Regional conflict intensifies

The clashes mark a sharp escalation in the Israel–Hezbollah conflict, which has been ongoing since the broader regional tensions that followed the Gaza war in 2023.

Israel has also moved additional troops toward the Lebanese border and warned residents in several villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate as military operations continue.

Analysts warn that Hezbollah’s involvement could widen the conflict further across the Middle East, as tensions remain high following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader and ongoing strikes across the region