Israel and Hezbollah Exchange Attacks in Lebanon and Gaza

As cease-fire negotiations in Gaza face significant challenges, hostilities continue to escalate. On August 20, Israel conducted airstrikes targeting Hezbollah weapons storage facilities in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, resulting in one fatality and 19 injuries, according to Hezbollah. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that their operations led to the deaths of "dozens" of armed fighters and the capture of weapons. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to terms proposed by mediators from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, emphasizing that Israel will maintain control over the Philadelphi Corridor along Gaza's Egyptian border to restrict Hamas's rearmament capabilities. However, a U.S. official disputed Netanyahu's claims of progress in negotiations, labeling his statements as "not constructive" for achieving a cease-fire. In a public statement on August 21, Netanyahu's office reiterated the necessity of securing Israel's southern border amidst the ongoing conflict. While Israel has acknowledged responsibility for the initial airstrike, it has not claimed responsibility for subsequent attacks. Concerns are mounting over a potential wider conflict, particularly if Iran decides to launch a coordinated assault with support from proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Additionally, Israeli jets have recently engaged in mid-air refueling exercises, indicating preparations for longer-range operations beyond their typical missions in Gaza or Lebanon. On the same day, Israel's outgoing head of military intelligence accepted accountability for the intelligence failures that led to the October 7 massacre by Hamas, which ignited the current Gaza war.