Israel has carried out a new wave of airstrikes on southern Lebanon, escalating tensions in the region despite public criticism from former US President Donald Trump. The strikes, which targeted what the Israel Defense Forces described as Hezbollah military infrastructure, have put British peacekeepers deployed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on high alert.
The operation, conducted in the early hours of Wednesday, involved precision strikes on several sites near the Litani River. According to Israeli officials, the strikes were in response to a rocket attack launched from Lebanese territory into northern Israel earlier this week, which caused no casualties but heightened security concerns along the border.
Trump, who has historically maintained a hawkish stance on Iran and its proxies, took to his social media platform to condemn the strikes. 'Israel is making a very big mistake. This will not end well. They should focus on peace, not provocation,' he wrote, breaking with his usual strong support for Israeli military actions. The criticism has surprised many analysts, as Trump's presidency was marked by unwavering backing of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, including the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed that British troops serving with UNIFIL have been instructed to exercise heightened vigilance. A spokesperson stated: 'We urge all parties to de-escalate and respect the Blue Line. Our personnel are safe but we are monitoring the situation closely.' Approximately 650 British forces are part of the 10,000-strong UNIFIL mission, which patrols the buffer zone between Israel and Lebanon.
The strikes come at a time of regional flux. Israel's military campaign against Hamas in Gaza continues, though with reduced intensity, and Iran's nuclear programme remains a focal point of international concern. Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shia militia and political party in Lebanon, has consistently pledged to defend Lebanon against Israeli aggression. The group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, said in a recent speech that any major incursion into Lebanese territory would be met with 'unprecedented retaliation'.
Local Lebanese sources reported that the strikes caused significant damage to a weapons storage facility and a training camp. No civilian casualties have been confirmed, but the Lebanese Red Cross has been mobilised to assist any affected communities. The UNIFIL commander, Major General Stefano Del Col, has called for an emergency meeting with Israeli and Lebanese military officials to prevent further escalation.
Analysts are concerned that this could spiral into a wider conflict, drawing in multiple actors. 'The region is a tinderbox,' said Dr. Maya al-Hussein, a Middle East security expert at RAND Europe. 'Each strike, each statement, is being carefully calibrated, but the risk of miscalculation is high. The involvement of British troops adds a layer of diplomatic complexity for London.'
The British government has not yet made an official statement on Trump's criticism, but Downing Street sources indicate that the Prime Minister is in contact with both Israeli and Lebanese leaders, urging restraint. The UN Security Council is expected to hold an emergency session later this week.
For now, the situation remains volatile, with civilians on both sides of the border braced for further violence. The international community watches warily, aware that the peace in the Levant hangs by a thread.
