Israel retaliates against Lebanon

Recent strikes near the Lebanon-Israel border have heightened fears that the ongoing war in Gaza could spiral into a broader regional conflict. Lebanese state media reported that one strike targeted a motorcycle, resulting in the deaths of two riders and injuries to a child, while another strike in southern Lebanon left two more individuals hurt. Israel has attributed the weekend rocket attack to Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group aligned with Iran, which has vowed to continue its assaults on Israel in solidarity with Gaza but has denied involvement in the recent incidents. The potential for Israeli retaliation has raised alarms, particularly regarding Beirut's international airport, where local sources noted the presence of Israeli drones overhead. Concerns linger about whether Israel will target Lebanese infrastructure or focus on Hezbollah's military assets. Analysts suggest that the responses from both Israel and Hezbollah could determine whether the conflict, which has so far been limited to border skirmishes, expands significantly. Randa Slim, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, emphasized that neither Israel nor Hezbollah appears eager for an all-out war, given the potential for mass displacement and the protracted nature of the conflict. She noted that the Israeli Prime Minister is likely wary of the unpredictable consequences that a larger war involving Hezbollah and potentially Iran could entail, suggesting a preference for measured responses to avoid escalation.