The southern Lebanon front is intensifying as U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein continues his international efforts to secure a ceasefire.
The situation escalated particularly after an Israeli airstrike on the Lebanese city of Tyre resulted in the death of a senior Hezbollah leader, according to the Lebanese news outlet “An-Nashra.”
This renewed escalation in the south coincides with intensified diplomatic activities aimed at preventing a slide into widespread or total war.
High-level U.S.-French coordination is evident, marked by Hochstein’s visit to Paris and his meeting with French Presidential Envoy to Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian.
The outcomes of this meeting remain unclear, following Hochstein’s prior visit to Beirut.
Lebanese observers point to the messages behind Israel’s targeted assassinations of Hezbollah leaders, highlighting new “rules of engagement” that justify Israel’s right to strike Hezbollah leaders anywhere.
Hezbollah’s missile responses to these assassinations have stayed within expected bounds, as the organization remains committed to not escalating into full-scale war.
Hezbollah has previously outlined its “rules of engagement,” stating it will only escalate beyond current constraints if forced into war.
