Israeli forces launched artillery and airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, straining the fragile truce that concluded over a year-long conflict with Hezbollah. A group of 40 individuals who survived Hamas captivity urged the Israeli government to bring an end to what they termed the “endless war” in a letter. In response to this incident, three rockets were fired from Lebanon towards Israel, where they were successfully intercepted by the Israeli air force. There has been no instance of rockets being fired from Lebanon to Israel in over three months.

The firing was followed by Israel’s army conducting numerous airstrikes in southern Lebanon, which resulted in injuries in the village of Kafr Kila near the border, as per reports from the Lebanese health ministry. This marks the most intense exchange since the ceasefire agreement made on November 27th, 2024, which put an end to over 13 months of conflict that had claimed over 3,900 lives and displaced more than a million individuals in Lebanon.

Defence Minister of Israel, Israel Katz, has threatened severe retaliatory measures against these rocket attacks that targeted the Israeli village of Metula. He stated that Metula and Beirut would face equal treatment and accused the Lebanese government of accountability for any aggression originating from its territory.

While the identity of those responsible for the rocket fire remains unclear, a spokesperson from Hezbollah has declined comments. Earlier, the Lebanese army had discovered and dismantled rockets they termed “primitive rocket launchers” from the south of the country.

Although the ceasefire has largely prevented all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel continues its airstrikes in Lebanon and maintains the right to act unilaterally against any violations of the truce. No significant attacks from Hezbollah have been documented since the ceasefire, with the group severely weakened from its conflict with Israel, having lost many senior leaders, fighters, and its weaponry.

Prime Minister of Lebanon, Nawaf Salam, argued that any renewed military operations in the south of the country risk drawing Lebanon back into warfare and called for the Lebanese state, not Hezbollah, to determine Lebanon’s engagements in conflict.

Meanwhile, in Israel, ongoing protests disrupt the nation, with thousands taking to the streets and halting traffic in opposition to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government. The catalyst for these demonstrations was the government’s attempt to dismiss Ronen Bar, the head of Israel’s internal security agency, considered an assault on Israel’s democratic institutions. The renewed airstrikes in Gaza also fuel the protests.

A group of 40 freed hostages and 250 family members of those still held in Gaza have signed a letter urging Netanyahu to cease military operations and return to negotiations for the release of the remaining hostages. The signatories criticize the government for choosing endless war over hostage rescue, labeling it criminal.

In a related development, Israel’s Defence Minister has ordered the military to capture more ground in Gaza, with threats of annexing parts of the territory if Hamas does not release Israeli hostages. Israel officials have called on Palestinians in Gaza to overthrow Hamas.

Gaza reports that since the renewed bombardments, over 500 people have been killed, reflecting one of the highest death tolls since the beginning of the conflict over 17 months prior.

The ceasefire agreed upon in January has seen Israel withholding talks on the second phase, which would involve the release of all hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the cessation of hostilities, in favor of a new plan that offers a temporary truce but no prisoner release.

Amidst these events, Netanyahu faces backlash for attempting to fire the head of the Shin Bet intelligence agency in a legal showdown.

The robust protests and legal standstill underline a nation in turmoil, its political and military actions both domestic and international causing deep discontent and division.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/22/israel-strikes-southern-lebanon-amid-calls-for-end-to-endless-war