Israel plans weeks-long strikes on Iran and Hezbollah targets

2026-03-23 - 06:39

Israel indicated that its ongoing military operations against Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon are expected to continue for several more weeks, as tensions escalate across the Middle East. Israeli military officials said thousands of additional targets remain, underscoring the scale of the campaign that began in late February. Extended military campaign Israeli army spokesperson Effie Defrin stated that the armed forces are preparing for at least three more weeks of operations against Iran. He said more than 10,000 munitions have already been deployed, reflecting the intensity of the strikes. “We are not working according to a stopwatch or timetable, but to achieve our goals,” he said, adding that the objective is to significantly weaken Iran’s capabilities. Regional escalation and retaliation The conflict has expanded beyond Iran, with Israeli strikes also targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. In response, Iran has launched drone and missile attacks aimed at Israel and other countries in the region, including Jordan and Iraq, as well as Gulf states hosting US military assets. Israeli officials described recent Iranian strikes on cities such as Arad and Dimona as part of an ongoing threat rather than a new development. Widening conflict dynamics The Israeli military has intensified airstrikes in southern Lebanon while expanding ground operations following a cross-border attack by Hezbollah in early March. The broader confrontation, which began on Feb. 28 with US-Israeli strikes, has reportedly resulted in significant casualties. The evolving situation highlights the risk of a wider regional conflict, with multiple fronts active and no immediate indication of de-escalation, raising concerns for stability across the Middle East.