The Israeli military launched multiple waves of air strikes across Lebanon, including the capital Beirut, after the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah fired roughly 200 rockets into northern Israel. Israeli attacks were reported across southern Lebanon and in Beirut’s southern suburbs, an area known as Dahieh that is considered a Hezbollah stronghold. Thousands of residents have fled the district during the past week as bombardment intensified. Don’t miss the latest headlines from Thailand and around the world. Get the Asean Now Briefing newsletter, delivered daily. Sign up here. Some of the strikes also hit other parts of the capital, including the Corniche seafront. Lebanon’s health ministry said at least 12 people were killed in that area overnight. Hezbollah launches large-scale attackHezbollah fired the rockets across the Israeli border on Wednesday evening in what appeared to be a coordinated assault alongside missile strikes launched by Iran. An Israeli military spokesperson said the barrage was the largest cross-border attack carried out by Hezbollah since the latest phase of the conflict began. Approximately 200 rockets and 20 drones were launched simultaneously while Iran fired ballistic missiles toward Israel, the spokesperson said. Hezbollah later said it had targeted several sites in northern Israel in response to what it described as “criminal aggression” against Lebanese towns and cities. The group said the targets included the headquarters of Israel’s northern military command near Safed and bases near the city of Haifa. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its forces had carried out a “joint and integrated operation” with Hezbollah that struck more than 50 targets. Israeli authorities reported that one building was damaged in the Galilee region and two people were lightly wounded. Another building in Haniel, a farming community in central Israel, was damaged by debris from an intercepted rocket, though no injuries were reported. Israel threatens to expand operationsIn response to the attacks, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had been ordered to prepare for a broader campaign inside Lebanon. He said the objective would be to restore security to Israeli communities near the northern border. The Israeli military also expanded a large evacuation zone in southern Lebanon. Residents have been told to leave areas covering nearly all territory south of the Zahrani River, about 40 kilometers from the Israeli border. Lebanon caught in widening conflictLebanon was drawn into the broader war between Iran, Israel and the United States around 10 days ago when Hezbollah launched rockets and drones into Israel. The attacks were carried out in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader and continued Israeli strikes after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah collapsed in 2024. Israel says its ongoing military campaign will continue until Hezbollah is disarmed. Lebanese authorities say Israeli strikes have killed at least 687 people since the escalation began, including 98 children, and displaced roughly 800,000 people. The Israeli military has reported that two of its soldiers have been killed in combat operations inside Lebanon. Calls for restraintLebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the country had been pulled into a conflict it did not want. “It is a war we did not want; on the contrary, we are working day and night to bring it to an end,” he said in a televised address. International leaders have also urged restraint. Emmanuel Macron, president of France, warned that Hezbollah had made a major mistake by dragging Lebanon into the confrontation, while also calling on Israel to rule out launching a ground offensive. Meanwhile, Tom Fletcher, the United Nations humanitarian chief, warned that Lebanon was facing “a moment of grave peril” as the conflict intensifies. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 12.03 2026
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