Israel Strikes 100 Hezbollah Targets Amid ‘Doomsday’ Warning

As Israel strikes targets across the border in Lebanon, Beirut’s Ambassador to the UK, Rami Mortada, warned against any ground incursion could spark a “doomsday” regional war.

In an interview with The Times, Mortada stated that Lebanon’s armed forces, which have largely remained passive as Hezbollah attacked Israel for months, would not stand idle if Israel launched a major ground or air offensive.

“We are facing all the risks of an all-out regional conflict,” he cautioned, describing Hezbollah as a “formidable fighting force” and urging Israel to learn from its “humiliating” defeats in the past.

His warning comes amid escalating violence, with Israel launching airstrikes on 100 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. The strikes followed a stark threat from Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who promised massive retaliation if Israel continued operations near the Lebanon-Israel border.

On Tuesday, Israel warned U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin of a pending operation in Lebanon but withheld specifics, according to U.S. officials.

That same day, in an attack widely attributed to Israel, thousands of Hezbollah militants’ pagers exploded, injuring over 3,000 people and killing at least nine.

U.S. officials revealed this warning was part of four phone calls between Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the past week, as attacks between Israel and Hezbollah intensified.

While the U.S. was briefed after the strikes, officials were surprised by the scale of operations, which also targeted walkie-talkies. The two-day offensive left 37 dead, including two children, and around 3,000 wounded, with civilians caught in the crossfire.

Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh confirmed the calls but didn’t offer detailed timelines. Despite the violence, she said the U.S. has not altered its military presence in the region. During their conversations, Austin reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel in the face of threats from Hezbollah and Iranian proxies, while also urging de-escalation.

“Austin emphasized the U.S. commitment to deterring regional adversaries, reducing tensions, and prioritizing a ceasefire to bring home hostages held by Hamas,” Singh said. Austin also pressed for a diplomatic solution to protect civilians on both sides of the Lebanon-Israel border.

There is rising concern over a potential U.S. evacuation from Lebanon, though Pentagon officials say they’ve received no formal request. The State Department has urged Americans in Lebanon to maintain a low profile.

While evacuation plans are in place for global hotspots, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby clarified that immediate action is not expected. U.S. Navy ships with Marines remain stationed in the Mediterranean, prepared to assist if needed.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press