The future of militia group Hezbollah came under scrutiny on Monday when Lebanon’s prime minister said he had not heard from them in weeks and the head of the Arab League noted that their “idea” could not be quashed.
Israeli attacks in recent weeks have sought to cripple Iran-backed Hezbollah, amid a similar campaign to destroy fellow Hamas Islamists in the Palestinian Gaza Strip.
The Jewish state sought to eradicate Hamas after its massive terrorist attack on southern Israel last October and has gradually turned its fire on Lebanese Hezbollah, whose rockets have threatened northern Israelis for years.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz wrote on X that the country’s armed forces “left Beirut in flames” after a major offensive on Monday targeting Hezbollah’s financial assets. He said more than 15 buildings were hit and posted a photo of a large fireball rising over the skyline of Lebanon’s capital.
The Israeli military said the wave of airstrikes that began on Monday targeted branches of al-Qard al-Hasan.
According to Israel, the financial association reportedly manages funds used for Hezbollah activities, including the purchase of weapons and payments to members of its military wing.
The renewed attack by Israel has observers wondering what state Hezbollah is in. Lebanon’s interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he has not had contact with Hezbollah representatives for weeks.
This is despite the fact that the militia has appointed two ministers and thirteen representatives to the Lebanese parliament.
“There has been no communication with Hezbollah since the middle of last month,” Mikati told Al Arabiya news channel. He did not reveal how he had previously communicated with the Shiite group.
Mikati’s statement indicates that Hezbollah leaders are proceeding cautiously and limiting contact with others since Israel began expanding military operations in Lebanon several weeks ago.
Hezbollah leaders are said to frequently change locations following the assassination of leader Hassan Nasrallah and others.
Hezbollah plays an important role in Lebanese life, beyond its military goals. It provides services including schools and hospitals.
Southern suburbs of Beirut again under Israeli fire
The southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital Beirut have been hit again by Israeli airstrikes, the Lebanese state news agency NNA reports.
The agency said the Haret Hreik district, near the airport, was affected, as well as the area around the university hospital.
The Lebanese Health Ministry said several people had been killed in the strikes.
Earlier on Monday, Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari had announced further attacks aimed at worsening the finances of the Hezbollah militia.
“You can’t destroy an idea
Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit met Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Lebanese House, and was asked whether Hezbollah has been essentially destroyed by Israel.
“You can’t destroy an idea,” he said, adding that an immediate ceasefire was necessary. “We will not wait too long to achieve the desired breakthrough, because the situation is dangerous…”
But Hezbollah showed it still had the appearance of a fighting force by bombarding northern Israel with a volley of rockets on Monday, the Israeli military said.
About 40 rockets flew from Lebanon into Israeli territory, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. Some missiles were intercepted, others hit the ground.
The Israeli military later said its air force had attacked 15 Hezbollah rocket launch pads in Lebanon.
Israel also said it intercepted five drones over the Mediterranean Sea. They were apparently stopped before entering Israeli territory.
According to media reports, Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv had earlier announced that departures had been halted. Planes soon flew again, but it was unclear who sent the drones.
In addition to Hezbollah and Hamas, militias in Iraq and Houthi rebels in Yemen have attempted to attack Israel, while Iran itself has also hit its rival with missiles.
Israel apologizes for killing Lebanese army trio
Arab League official Abul Gheit also criticized the UN Security Council’s failure to take action against Israel’s recent attack on UN peacekeepers and posts in southern Lebanon.
On Monday, the Israeli army apologized for the deaths of three Lebanese soldiers in an airstrike in southern Lebanon on Sunday.
The IDF said it hit a truck driving into an area where it had previously attacked a Hezbollah militia truck carrying rockets.
It later became clear that the second vehicle had been driven by the Lebanese army and that three soldiers had been killed.
The IDF statement said it did not act against the Lebanese army and that its forces were unaware that one of its trucks was in the area. It apologized for these “undesirable circumstances.”
The Lebanese army has tried to stay out of the fighting between the IDF and Hezbollah.
