Israel strikes Lebanon in biggest attack since ceasefire

3 December 2024 - Israel has launched its largest strike on Lebanon in over a week, killing at least 11 people, after Hezbollah fired rockets accusing Israel of breaking a recent ceasefire.

The attack marks a sharp escalation in tensions after Hezbollah, backed by Iran, fired a barrage of rockets as a warning over alleged Israeli violations of the truce. Hezbollah's assault on Israeli forces is the first since both sides agreed to a fragile 60-day ceasefire last week.

The ceasefire was intended to bring an end to fighting that erupted more than a year ago between Hezbollah and Israel, part of the broader conflict sparked by the devastating war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Hamas, like Hezbollah, is listed as a terrorist group by both the US and the EU.

US President-elect Donald Trump has demanded the immediate release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, warning that failure to do so before his January inauguration will lead to severe consequences for the militant group.

While it remains unclear whether Trump’s statement implies direct military intervention by the US, the country has consistently provided Israel with key military and diplomatic support throughout the ongoing conflict.

The Gaza war, which began in October 2023 with Hamas’s deadly attacks in southern Israel, has claimed over 44,000 lives in Gaza, according to Palestinian health authorities.

The UN has warned of an “apocalyptic” situation in Gaza, with civilians suffering the most as violence continues to escalate.