On Saturday, February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel initiated a significant military campaign against Iran. In the days leading up to this event, there had been discussions about a possible strike, and the Pentagon had amassed a notably substantial fleet of American warships and aircraft carriers. At the same time, U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations were ongoing. In fact, just a day before the operation, a key mediator, Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, conveyed optimism that a “peace agreement is within our grasp.”

Regional Conflict Overview

As the assault commenced, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly asserted that Iran had “sought to revive their nuclear ambitions,” vowing, “They will never possess a nuclear weapon.” He introduced a regime change aspect to the conflict, which he has since openly embraced, and conveyed an additional message to the Iranian populace: “When we conclude, seize control of your government. It will be yours to claim. This may be your only opportunity for generations.”

In retaliation, Iran initiated counterstrikes aimed at Israel and several neighboring nations that either host U.S. military bases or are closely allied with the U.S. In the early hours of Monday, Hezbollah executed an assault on a military installation in Haifa, escalating the conflict further.

What led to Lebanon’s involvement in the conflict?

Military Campaign Against Iran

After hours of strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iran on Saturday, Israel declared the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was seen as a spiritual leader by many Shia Muslims and had led Iran’s political landscape for nearly forty years. He was also central to severe human rights violations in Iran and beyond, including the targeting and killing of Iranian demonstrators and backing for the oppressive Assad regime. On Sunday, Hezbollah released a statement condemning the U.S. and Israel’s assassination of Khamenei as “the pinnacle of criminality,” calling him “our protector, our leader, the leader of the Nation, Imam Khamenei.” They vowed to “carry out [their] responsibility in resisting aggression.”

In what they described as a retaliatory measure for Khamenei’s assassination, Hezbollah initiated a rocket and drone assault on a military installation in Haifa early Monday morning, marking the first instance of Hezbollah attacking Israel since the ceasefire in November 2024. In response, Israel has conducted extensive airstrikes across South Lebanon, Dahieh, and Beqaa, which are ongoing as of this writing. Additionally, Israel has issued evacuation alerts for more than 50 villages in southern and eastern Lebanon, prompting a significant exodus of civilians attempting to escape potential strikes. On March 2, Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reported that the death toll had risen to 52, with 154 individuals injured.

Before this escalation, Israeli military operations in South Lebanon and the Beqaa had been occurring nearly every day since the ceasefire in November 2024, resulting in the deaths of 127 civilians by November 2025 and causing damage to approximately 10,000 buildings.

Impact on Lebanese Citizens

What actions has the government of Lebanon taken in response?

Shortly after Hezbollah launched its rocket and drone assault, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun denounced the use of Lebanon as a “platform for proxy conflicts,” while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described the rocket fire as “irresponsible.” The Prime Minister emphasized that his administration would not permit the country to be drawn into further escapades.

After an urgent meeting at the Presidential Palace, Salam delivered several important public statements that reaffirm the Lebanese government’s leadership on this matter, its clear condemnation of Hezbollah’s assaults, and its dedication to a comprehensive disarmament initiative. In particular, Salam has:

Government Response Analysis

Declared a prohibition on all “military and security operations by Hezbollah,” labeling them as “unlawful” and insisting that Hezbollah surrender its arms to the Lebanese government;

Instructed military and security forces to execute today’s directive regarding Hezbollah, aimed at preventing any military actions or the launch of missiles and drones from Lebanese soil, and to detain individuals who breach this directive;

Commanded the military “to promptly and decisively” execute the strategy outlined on February 16, 2026 (regarded as phase 2 of the Hezbollah disarmament initiative, following the successful execution of phase 1 in January 2026), “regarding the seizure of arms north of the Litani River, employing all necessary measures to guarantee its enforcement”;

Called upon the guarantor nations of the ceasefire (the United States and France) “to secure a definitive and unequivocal commitment from the Israeli side to halt all assaults on Lebanese territory” and urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants to collaborate with the global community to “put an end to Israeli aggression”; and

Instructed the Ministry of Social Affairs to arrange for housing for those who have been displaced and to ensure they receive food and necessary supplies.

As reported by Lebanese media, “a source affiliated with the Lebanese government indicated that two ministers from the Amal Movement, a key ally and fellow Shia party of Hezbollah, along with one minister from Hezbollah itself, endorsed the cabinet’s decision.”

Regarding the assistance provided to displaced individuals, Minister of Social Affairs Haneen Sayed has announced that 171 shelters have been established thus far, with 27 located in Beirut and 34 in the southern regions. Out of these shelters, 76 have reached their maximum capacity, accommodating 29,000 officially registered displaced individuals, which accounts for over 5,400 families. Ground organizations indicate that the actual number of displaced persons is significantly greater than those who are registered, and this figure is expected to keep increasing.

In the upcoming days, the focus will shift to the scale of Israeli assaults and their repercussions on civilians in the area, how Hezbollah and other non-state entities will respond in the future, and the actions the Lebanese government will undertake to carry out the Prime Minister’s vital declaration. In the meantime, the citizens of Lebanon are confronted with the consequences of yet another catastrophic conflict in a nation that has not had the opportunity to recover and rebuild.

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