[ { "type": "paragraph", "content": "Israel’s defence forces announced that they have begun a new wave of strikes against Hezbollah, extending their campaign from the southern border to the eastern Bekaa Valley after a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledging a crushing blow to the militant organization." }, { "type": "paragraph", "content": "In a video address on Monday night, Netanyahu declared Israel to be at war with Hezbollah and instructed the military to increase the intensity of strikes, claiming that more than 600 militants had already been eliminated." }, { "type": "paragraph", "content": "The recent expansion of the offensive comes after Lebanon and Israel agreed to a 45‑day ceasefire in mid‑April. While the agreement limited air and rocket attacks largely to the south, the new bombardment now includes eastern territories near the Syrian border." }, { "type": "paragraph", "content": "Skepticism about a comprehensive ceasefire is deepening, with the Iranian government highlighting the necessity of a complete truce across all fronts in the region, while Israeli authorities oppose ending the hunt for Hezbollah." }, { "type": "paragraph", "content": "Since the ceasefire was signed, ten Israeli soldiers have lost their lives, and the Lebanese death toll from bombardment has surpassed 400, including many emergency doctors and paramedics." }, { "type": "paragraph", "content": "The Lebanese government has called for the evacuation of coastal towns, displacing roughly one million residents and intensifying human‑rights concerns amid the ongoing conflict." }, { "type": "paragraph", "content": "The escalation follows a flare‑up initiated by the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran on 28 February, when Hezbollah retaliated with rocket strikes after an Israeli attack killed Iran’s Supreme Leader. The Israeli response included an extensive air campaign and a ground invasion that, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, killed more than three thousand people." }, { "type": "paragraph", "content": "Lebanon’s government continues to seek disarmament of Hezbollah, recognizing that full compliance would only be achievable with a sustained ceasefire." } ]}