By The Pulseline News Desk
Israel has carried out a new round of air and artillery strikes on targets in southern Lebanon, escalating tensions along the border despite recent criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned that continued military escalation could further destabilise the region.
The strikes, reported late Wednesday (17), hit areas believed to be linked to armed activity near the border, as cross-border hostilities between Israel and Lebanon continue to intensify. Local sources described multiple explosions in southern villages, with plumes of smoke seen rising after the bombardments.
The latest escalation comes amid an already fragile security situation, with near-daily exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants operating in southern Lebanon. The conflict has raised fears of a wider regional spillover as diplomatic efforts struggle to contain the violence.
Trump, speaking during a recent public appearance, criticised the ongoing military actions, suggesting that sustained strikes risked broadening instability in the Middle East. While he did not outline specific policy measures, his remarks added to international pressure calling for restraint.
On Tuesday, Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needed “to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon”.
Speaking at the G7 summit in France, he also said that Israel had been fighting Hezbollah for “too long and too many people are being killed”.
Despite such warnings, Israeli military officials have maintained that operations are necessary to target militant infrastructure and prevent further attacks on northern Israeli communities. The Israel Defence Forces have repeatedly stated that their actions are aimed at degrading Hezbollah capabilities and restoring security along the border.
The Lebanese side has condemned the renewed strikes, accusing Israel of violating sovereignty and escalating civilian risk in border areas. Emergency services in southern Lebanon have been placed on alert, though full casualty figures from the latest wave of strikes have not yet been confirmed.
The escalation highlights the continuing volatility along the Israel-Lebanon frontier, where sporadic exchanges of fire have persisted alongside broader regional tensions linked to the war in Gaza and its wider geopolitical repercussions.
International observers warn that without a sustained diplomatic breakthrough, the cycle of retaliation risks deepening, with limited mechanisms currently in place to enforce a durable ceasefire.
As both sides maintain hardened positions, the latest strikes underscore how quickly the border conflict can flare, even amid mounting global calls for de-escalation.
(With input from news agencies)
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