Lebanon's government on Monday banned military activities by Hezbollah after it opened fire on Israel to avenge

Hezbollah declares readiness for "open war" and fires rockets into northern Israel, prompting Israeli retaliation as the militant group escalates involvement.

The West Asia conflict expanded to include Iran-backed militias on Monday with an attack by Hezbollah on Israel. Israel struck back against the group in Lebanon while the United States pounded targets in Iran.

As Israel unleashed a sweeping military response to the brutal assault by Hamas on October 7, 2023, it aimed punch after punch at Iran, the militant group’s longtime sponsor, and its proxies.

Israel decided days after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack to target Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, while detailed planning came later, USA TODAY learned.

Israel resumed heavy strikes against Hezbollah in Beirut's southern suburbs and other areas Tuesday as its troops advanced into southern Lebanon.

In the pre-dawn hours of Monday morning, Hezbollah opened a new front in the US-Israeli war against Iran when it launched “missiles and a swarm of drones” at a military base in northern Israel.

By Maya Gebeily, Maayan Lubell and Jana Choukeir BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, March 3 (Reuters) - Lebanon was pulled deeper into the war in the Middle East on Tuesday as the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah launched missiles at Israel for a second consecutive day and Israel sent troops into the south and carried out waves of airstrikes.

Israel continues to hit terror targets within Iran following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday in a joint military offensive involving Jerusalem and the U.S., known as "Operation Epic Fury.