Israel strikes south Lebanon, spring offensive feared
Israel targeted Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon with airstrikes on March 15th, according to The Times of Israel.
Israel’s Defence Forces (IDF) staff claimed the strikes on Naqoura, Yaroun, and Hamoul were in retaliation for the firing of three projectiles into northern Israel from Lebanon the same day. The Israel-Lebanon border has seen near-daily exchanges of fire since October 7th, 2023, with Israeli attacks edging further north in recent weeks.
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The strikes come as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved plans for a Rafah offensive in Gaza on March 15th, labeling a recent Hamas ceasefire proposal and hostage exchange as “ridiculous,” according to FT.
A US Biden administration official expressed concern that Israel may intend on launching a spring offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon on February 29th, stating that an operation may commence “in the next few weeks,” or “perhaps later this spring.”
The Times of Israel / Financial Times
