Hezbollah has launched a series of military operations named "Al-Asf Al-Ma'kul" against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon [1].
These developments signal an escalation in the conflict between the group and Israel, as both sides increase their operational tempo in border regions. The intensification of these clashes threatens to further destabilize the region and increase civilian casualties.
The operations are concentrated across three primary axes: Shkif, Beit Yahoun, and Al-Ghandouriyah [1, 3]. According to the group, these actions are a response to increasing Israeli airstrikes and an effort to defend Lebanese sovereignty against Israeli aggression [1, 2].
On May 17, 2026, the Israeli military said it intercepted rockets fired by Hezbollah toward its forces in southern Lebanon [3]. This exchange follows a period of heightened volatility where the death toll from Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon has risen to 21 people [4].
While military operations continue, the political stance of the group remains firm. Wafiq Safa, a senior Hezbollah leader, said the group refuses to give up its weapons [2]. This position complicates potential diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire, as the group maintains its arsenal is essential for deterrence.
The conflict has seen a pattern of rapid escalation. Israeli forces continue to conduct airstrikes, while Hezbollah utilizes rocket fire to target military positions, a cycle that has displaced thousands of residents in the border areas [1, 3].
“Hezbollah has launched a series of military operations named "Al-Asf Al-Ma'kul".”
The naming of a specific operational campaign, 'Al-Asf Al-Ma'kul,' suggests a structured military strategy rather than sporadic skirmishes. By focusing on the Shkif, Beit Yahoun, and Al-Ghandouriyah axes, Hezbollah is attempting to establish zones of influence and challenge Israeli territorial incursions. Combined with the leadership's explicit refusal to disarm, this indicates that the group is prioritizing military deterrence over immediate diplomatic concessions.
