On Thursday, Israel conducted airstrikes in southern Lebanon, claiming to have disrupted an assassination plot linked to Iran. This action followed a series of explosions involving Hezbollah radios, which occurred a day earlier and raised tensions between the two adversaries, pushing them closer to potential conflict.

The targeted strikes on communication devices utilized by the Iran-supported group Hezbollah have created significant chaos in Lebanon, leading many to believe that a return to full-scale war, last seen 18 years ago, is imminent.

On Wednesday, hand-held radios belonging to Hezbollah exploded throughout southern Lebanon, marking the deadliest day since the onset of cross-border skirmishes between the militants and Israel, which began nearly a year ago alongside the Gaza conflict. The day prior, a simultaneous detonation of hundreds of pagers—used by Hezbollah to avoid mobile phone tracking—resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals, including two children, and left nearly 3,000 others injured.

Israel has refrained from making a direct statement regarding the recent attacks; however, various security sources indicate that they were executed by the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency.

On Thursday, Israeli security services announced the arrest of an Israeli citizen last month on suspicions of being involved in an assassination plot backed by Iran. The individual, a businessman with ties to Turkey, reportedly participated in at least two meetings in Iran to plan the assassination of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the defense minister, or the head of the Shin Bet intelligence agency.

In a separate development, Israeli jets and artillery targeted several locations in southern Lebanon, according to the military. The strikes reportedly hit Hezbollah positions in Chihine, Tayibe, Blida, Meiss El Jabal, Aitaroun, and Kfarkela, along with a Hezbollah weapons storage site in Khiam. Israeli media have reported that several civilians were injured due to anti-tank missile fire from Lebanon, although this has not been officially confirmed.

On Wednesday, Hezbollah launched approximately 20 projectiles into Israel, most of which were intercepted by air defense systems, resulting in no reported injuries, according to the military.

Israel and Hezbollah have been engaged in cross-border exchanges of fire along the Israeli-Lebanon frontier, coinciding with Israel’s military operations in Gaza against Hamas. As a result, tens of thousands of individuals have been compelled to evacuate from the border region on both sides.

Prime Minister Netanyahu pledged on Wednesday to ensure the safe return of evacuated Israelis to their residences. On the same day, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant indicated that the conflict is entering a new phase, with additional resources and military units being redeployed to the northern border.

Israeli officials report that the forces being sent to this area include the 98th Division, an elite unit comprising commandos and paratroopers that has been actively engaged in Gaza.

Following the Hamas attack, Hezbollah initiated missile strikes against Israel, leading to a sustained exchange of fire that both parties have managed to prevent from escalating into a full-scale war.

Nevertheless, the evacuation of tens of thousands continues on both sides, and there is increasing pressure within Israel for the government to facilitate the return of evacuees to their homes.