Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israel will intensify its military attacks against Hezbollah as fighting across southern Lebanon continues to grow. The Israeli military said it launched a large wave of air strikes targeting Hezbollah positions in the eastern Bekaa Valley and other areas across Lebanon. According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), more than 100 Hezbollah sites and fighters were targeted during the latest attacks. Lebanese media reported that at least 12 people were killed in strikes on the village of Mashghara in the Bekaa Valley. Israel claimed the attacks targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and armed fighters. The Israeli military has also issued evacuation warnings for residents in the southern Lebanese town of Nabatieh, warning that more strikes may take place soon. Thousands of civilians are now feared to be at risk as violence spreads into new areas. In a video statement, Netanyahu said Israel is “at war with Hezbollah” and ordered the military to increase the intensity of its operations. He claimed that Israeli forces had already killed more than 600 Hezbollah fighters in recent weeks and promised even stronger military action in the coming days. Hezbollah responded by launching drones and rockets toward Israeli military positions and towns near the border. The group said it carried out more than 20 attacks in response to what it called Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement. Israeli officials are especially concerned about Hezbollah’s growing use of fibre-optic drones, which are reportedly being used to target Israeli troops and military equipment in southern Lebanon. Analysts say the group’s drone tactics are becoming more advanced and difficult to stop. The latest escalation comes despite a 45-day ceasefire extension agreed earlier this month between Lebanon and Israel. However, clashes and air strikes have continued almost daily since the truce began in April. The violence has created a worsening humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. More than one million people have reportedly been displaced since the conflict intensified, while many families continue to flee from southern towns and villages toward safer areas. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has demanded a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon and called for international efforts to stop the attacks. At the same time, Lebanon’s government says it is trying to disarm Hezbollah, but officials argue that a stable ceasefire is necessary before such efforts can move forward. The conflict is also connected to wider regional tensions involving Iran, Hezbollah’s main ally. Iran has reportedly insisted that any future peace agreement with the United States must include a complete ceasefire across all fronts in the region. International observers fear that continued fighting between Israel and Hezbollah could further destabilise the Middle East and increase pressure on already struggling civilians in Lebanon and northern Israel.