In a striking escalation of military actions, Israel has ramped up its air strikes on Lebanon and Syria, coinciding with a renewed offensive in Gaza. These operations are raising alarms across the region, as the conflict enters a multifaceted phase that threatens to destabilize the already fragile geopolitical landscape.

On Monday, Israeli air strikes targeted southern Lebanon, resulting in the death of one individual, following two fatalities reported the previous day, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The Israeli government asserted that these strikes were aimed at eliminating members of the militant group Hizbollah.

This uptick in violence comes on the heels of air strikes in Syria last week, which reportedly claimed the lives of nine individuals, marking the deadliest assault since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December. Furthermore, Israel's military operations in Gaza have resulted in nearly 1,400 deaths since it breached a ceasefire with Hamas and resumed its campaign in the area last month, as reported by Palestinian officials.

The intensifying military strategy reflects a more aggressive approach from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration, which has received unwavering support from U.S. President Donald Trump. Notably, Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Trump in Washington on Monday, a meeting that may have significant implications for the ongoing conflict.

Since the ceasefire on November 27, which concluded a year-long war with Hizbollah, Israel has consistently conducted air strikes in Lebanon. The Israeli government claims these actions are necessary to enforce the terms of the ceasefire agreement. Recently, they targeted the southern suburbs of Beirut for the first time since the ceasefire, following threats to retaliate against projectiles launched from southern Lebanon.

A subsequent air strike on the Lebanese capital last week was reportedly aimed at a Hizbollah member who had connections with Hamas, resulting in the deaths of four individuals, including one woman, and injuring seven others, according to health ministry reports. The Lebanese government condemned this act, labeling it a violation of the ceasefire.

David Wood, a senior analyst at Crisis Group focused on Lebanon, commented on the situation, stating, “There’s been a notable escalation in recent weeks, but the groundwork for the kind of escalations that we’ve seen was laid from the very start.” He emphasized that Israel has been vocal about its intent to continue targeting locations within Lebanon until it is satisfied that the Lebanese army is effectively implementing the ceasefire terms.

The US-brokered deal that ended the year-long conflict mandated Hizbollah to relocate its weapons from southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops were to withdraw and be succeeded by the Lebanese army. However, Israeli forces continue to maintain a presence in five 'strategic' locations in southern Lebanon, justifying their actions as part of the ceasefire agreement.

During a visit to Beirut last weekend, Morgan Ortagus, the US deputy Middle East special envoy, reiterated America’s unwavering support for Israel. When questioned by Lebanese broadcaster LBCI about the possibility of continued strikes against Hizbollah, Ortagus affirmed, “It’s clear that Hizbollah has to be disarmed. It’s clear that Israel is not going to accept terrorists shooting at them into their country, and that’s a position we understand.”

Simultaneously, Israel has intensified its air strikes in Syria, targeting military bases in a move described by Defense Minister Israel Katz as a decisive warning to the interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa's government. Katz warned, “If you allow forces hostile to Israel to enter Syria and endanger Israeli security interests, you will pay a very heavy price.” This rhetoric signifies a broader strategy aimed at securing Israel’s borders and neutralizing perceived threats.

In the immediate aftermath of the Syrian regime's collapse, Israel initiated a series of bombings across the country, aiming to dismantle the military capabilities of the former regime and its infrastructure. In addition, Israeli forces have occupied a significant area of southwestern Syria, attempting to gain control over a UN-monitored demilitarized buffer zone.

In Gaza, an Israeli strike on Monday tragically hit a tent housing journalists near Nasser Hospital, resulting in the deaths of ten individuals and injuring many more, according to reports from the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ramallah. The situation in Gaza has further deteriorated as Israel continues to impose a comprehensive siege, restricting food and supplies since March 2, and issuing evacuation orders that have forced hundreds of thousands from their homes.

According to the heads of six United Nations agencies, including OCHA, WFP, and WHO, the humanitarian crisis is dire: “More than 2.1 million people are trapped, bombed, and starved again, while, at crossing points, food, medicine, fuel, and shelter supplies are piling up, and vital equipment is stuck.” The renewed offensive has pushed the total death toll in Gaza above 50,000, as reported by Palestinian officials.

Israel's current military operations were triggered by Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, where militants killed 1,200 individuals, according to Israeli officials, while taking 250 hostages. As tensions rise, the international community watches closely, unsure of what the future holds for the region.