Israeli warplanes and artillery struck targets in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, the military confirmed, hours after British diplomats called for restraint to maintain a tenuous ceasefire brokered by the United Nations. The strikes, which hit areas near the Litani River, were described by the Israel Defense Forces as a response to “hostile activity” by Hezbollah operatives attempting to rebuild military infrastructure. No casualties were immediately reported, though Lebanese security sources reported damage to civilian homes.
The escalation comes as UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, on a visit to Tel Aviv, urged both sides to “step back from the brink” and adhere to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war. The resolution requires Hezbollah to disarm and Israeli forces to withdraw from Lebanese territory. Both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violations.
Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Starmer said: “The ceasefire is a fragile achievement, but one that must be preserved. Further escalation would risk a broader regional conflict that serves no one’s interests.” He offered British technical assistance for monitoring the border, including surveillance drones and liaison officers.
Netanyahu, however, struck a defiant tone, insisting Israel would not tolerate any Hezbollah entrenchment near its border. “We have witnessed repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement. Our actions are defensive and proportionate. If the international community cannot enforce the terms, we will do so ourselves.”
The UK’s position reflects a broader European concern that the ceasefire, which has held since 2006, is eroding. French and German diplomats have also recently visited Beirut and Tel Aviv to press for de-escalation. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, reported a rise in “unauthorised weapons” and “restricted areas” entered by armed elements in recent weeks.
Analysts suggest the current tensions are linked to Iranian efforts to supply Hezbollah with precision-guided munitions, a development Israel views as a red line. The UK’s Ministry of Defence has acknowledged intelligence indicating “advanced weapons transfers” but did not elaborate.
Wednesday’s strikes mark the most significant Israeli military action in Lebanon since 2021, when limited air raids targeted rocket launch sites. The Lebanese government condemned the attacks as a violation of sovereignty and called on the UN Security Council to intervene.
For now, the ceasefire survives, but barely. British diplomatic efforts may buy time, but without a sustained political process addressing the underlying drivers of conflict, the risk of a slide back into full-scale hostilities remains acute.
