By Our Correspondent

National News – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday announced a major escalation in military operations against Hezbollah, as fresh airstrikes hit several locations across Lebanon.

The Israeli military said the attacks targeted more than 100 Hezbollah positions, including facilities in the Bekaa Valley and southern towns near the border.

According to the Israeli Defense Forces, the strikes were launched after Hezbollah fighters allegedly carried out drone and rocket attacks against Israeli troops, military barracks, tanks and border communities.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for 22 separate attacks, describing them as retaliation for what it called repeated Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.

Local Lebanese media reported that at least 12 people were killed in the village of Mashghara following intense bombardment.

Israel said the operation eliminated Hezbollah militants operating in the area. The military also issued evacuation warnings for residents in Nabatieh ahead of additional strikes.

Netanyahu said Israel was “at war with Hezbollah” and promised to intensify military action in the coming days.

He claimed Israeli operations had killed more than 600 Hezbollah fighters in recent weeks.

Far-right Israeli ministers have also urged the government to expand attacks deeper into Lebanon, including the capital, Beirut.

The conflict has continued despite a 45-day ceasefire extension agreed earlier this year between Israel and Lebanon.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has demanded a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, while negotiations between both sides are expected to continue in Washington next week.

The renewed fighting has displaced more than one million people and raised fears of a wider Middle East conflict involving Iran, a key Hezbollah ally.