Israel Accuses Hezbollah of Militarizing Southern Lebanese Villages; Vows Action to Protect Civilians.

Jerusalem:

Tensions along the Israel–Lebanon border have escalated sharply after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel issued a strong statement alleged that Hezbollah has transformed entire villages in southern Lebanon into military strongholds.

According to the statement, Hezbollah is allegedly using these populated areas as launch sites to fire at Israeli civilian communities located in northern Israel. The ministry claimed that such actions deliberately endanger both Lebanese and Israeli civilians, as residential zones are being utilized for military operations.

The Israeli foreign ministry further stated that the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Lebanese government have failed to fulfill their international obligations to disarm Hezbollah. It argued that this inaction has allowed the group to strengthen its military presence in border areas.

Citing security concerns, Israel asserted that it “must act” to neutralize what it described as militant bastions in order to safeguard its population living near the border. The statement emphasized that protecting Israeli civilians remains a top priority amid ongoing cross-border hostilities.

The ministry also shared images from northern Israel, showing damage to homes and communities allegedly caused by attacks originating from southern Lebanon. These visuals were presented as evidence of the threat faced by civilians in the region.

The situation has raised fresh concerns of further escalation in the already volatile border area, with international observers closely monitoring developments. The accusations and strong rhetoric highlight the fragile security environment and the risk of a broader conflict if tensions continue to rise.

No immediate response from Hezbollah or Lebanese authorities was included in the statement, and independent verification of the claims remains limited.