Israel strikes Lebanon after Hezbollah attacks, widening conflict: reports

Israel launched new air strikes on Tehran and expanded its military campaign to include targets linked to Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon on Monday, according to media reports.

The aftermath of an Israeli air strike in Beirut, Lebanon on Monday, March 2, 2026.

Photo: EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

The escalation came after US President Donald Trump signalled that the US-Israeli military campaign against Iranian targets could continue for weeks, the Reuters news agency reported.

Israel launched new air strikes targeting Tehran and expanded its military campaign to include attacks on Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, as President Trump signaled the U.S.-Israeli military assault on Iranian targets could continue for weeks https://t.co/wW6NX6RaYY

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 2, 2026

Israel’s military said it was attacking sites associated with Lebanon’s Shiite Muslim Hezbollah movement, one of Tehran’s main regional allies, after Hezbollah said it had fired missiles and drones toward Israel.

Hezbollah described the barrage as retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Betting payouts following US attacks on Iran have thrown new scrutiny on prediction markets, which took wagers on the timing of bombing and removal of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei from power https://t.co/ZgdJtUSU2P

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 2, 2026

Israeli warplanes struck Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut, with more than a dozen explosions reported in the Lebanese capital.

Israel also said it targeted senior Hezbollah militants near Beirut, Reuters reported.

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Source: Reuters, IAR, PAP