Israel launched a broad wave of airstrikes on Tuesday against targets in Syria and Lebanon, escalating tensions along its northern border. The strikes targeted both Syrian government forces in Sweida and Hezbollah positions in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley.

According to Israeli officials, the attacks in Syria were in response to ongoing sectarian clashes in Sweida between Bedouin groups and Druze militias. Israel, citing its responsibility to protect the Druze population, struck Syrian government forces engaged in the fighting. This marks one of the rare Israeli attacks on the new Syrian government, which came to power after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December.

In Lebanon, Israeli strikes on Hezbollah facilities killed 12 people, including five Hezbollah fighters and seven Syrian nationals, according to Lebanese security sources. The Israeli military said it targeted training camps and weapons storage facilities used by Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force in the Bekaa Valley.

Israel Issues Warning to Hezbollah

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated the strikes were a "clear message" to Hezbollah and the Lebanese government. He warned that Israel would respond with "maximum force" to any attempt by Hezbollah to rebuild military capabilities after suffering significant losses in last year’s conflict, including the death of its leader Hassan Nasrallah.

The attacks are the deadliest in Lebanon since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire last November and come amid renewed U.S. efforts to push for Hezbollah’s disarmament in exchange for Israel withdrawing its forces from southern Lebanon.

Ceasefire in Syria Fragile Amid Israeli Pressure

In Syria, a ceasefire was declared Tuesday after deadly clashes, but Israeli officials say they remain vigilant against any threats emerging from the war-torn country. The Israeli government maintains ties with its Druze minority and has vowed to defend Druze populations in Syria.