Since October 7 of last year, intense fighting has been ongoing between Hamas and Israeli forces in Gaza. Alongside this conflict, Israel and Lebanon's Shiite armed group Hezbollah have also been engaged in intermittent clashes. Analysts warn that a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah could break out at any moment.


Residents have already been evacuated from the Lebanon-Israel border. According to Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera, Israel has attacked several villages in Lebanon with white phosphorus. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has targeted Israeli installations using a variety of weapons, including drones and guided missiles

Hezbollah and Israel have intensified their attacks on each other since last week, during which time US President Joe Biden was advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza. According to Al Jazeera, Hezbollah engaged in small-scale conflicts with Israel after the war in Gaza began.

Both sides have been trying to minimize civilian casualties. However, Israel has since launched deep strikes into Lebanon, resulting in many civilian deaths.

Al Jazeera reports that major clashes between the two sides could occur in the coming days due to increasing threats from Israel.

On June 5, Hezbollah attacked Israeli villages with suicide drones, killing two people and injuring 11. Israeli firefighters had to extinguish at least 100 fires caused by these attacks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later stated that Israel is prepared for a very tense operation on the Lebanon border. Additionally, Israel's right-wing security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, visited some of the affected areas, declaring that it is unacceptable for a region of Israel to be targeted while Lebanon remains silent. "We will burn all Hezbollah outposts and destroy them," the minister stated.

Despite Israel's stern warnings, a large-scale war between the two sides is not imminent, according to Imad Salami, an associate professor of political science at the Lebanese American University. He explained to Al Jazeera that Israel faces significant challenges on multiple fronts, including regional security threats and domestic political issues. Renewed aggression could result in sharp international condemnation and strain relations with Israel's main allies, particularly the United States.

Many blame the Israeli government for escalating tensions with Hezbollah. Dalia Sheindlin, an Israeli political analyst, expressed fears that Hezbollah could carry out attacks similar to those Hamas executed on October 7 against Israeli military posts and civilians.

Michael Young, an analyst and senior editor at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, stated that Hezbollah's recent attacks on Israel are meant to send a warning that it has the capacity to inflict serious damage. He believes both sides are preparing for negotiations, adding that Hezbollah's message is clear: the fighting in South Lebanon will cease when the fighting in Gaza stops.