Israel's Offensive Against Hezbollah Widens Mideast Conflict; Energy Markets Brace for Volatility

The attacks, which occurred in the early hours of March 2, 2026, were met with immediate Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut and southern Lebanon. The IDF stated it has initiated an "offensive campaign" against Hezbollah, anticipating several days of fighting.

The Lebanese government, led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, denounced the rocket fire, emphasizing Lebanon's desire to avoid being drawn into further conflict and attempting to assert state authority over Hezbollah's actions. This escalation follows a period of relative calm since a ceasefire in November 2024, and represents the first direct engagement between Hezbollah and Israel since then.