Civilians in Lebanon hit hardest as Israel targets Hezbollah

Lebanon faces a worsening humanitarian emergency amid renewed Israel–Hezbollah escalation. Lebanon was pulled into a wider Middle East conflict after Hezbollah fired at Israel following US and Israeli attacks on Iran. Lebanese health authorities report more than 3,213 deaths and over 1 million displaced people after nearly three months of Israeli strikes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hezbollah’s increased use of explosive drones threatens civilians in northern Israel and called for increased intensity of attacks. Israel continues striking Hezbollah infrastructure and expanding military presence in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah targets Israel’s north and Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. Analysts warn of a dangerous escalatory cycle that could bring disastrous consequences for Lebanon and may affect US-Iran negotiations.

""Israel and Hezbollah have entered a very dangerous escalatory cycle," David Wood, a Beirut-based senior analyst for Lebanon at the International Crisis Group, told DW. "If the situation continues along this path, it could have disastrous consequences for Lebanon." According to Lebanese health authorities, more than 3,200 people have been killed and more than 1 million remain displaced"

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