On September 27, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly, asserting that Israel is involved in a multi-front war and will never capitulate. He presented two contrasting maps to the audience, urging them to envision a prosperous future Middle East on the right while rejecting the dark and regressive version on the left.

In a series of intensified military actions from September 29 to 30, Israel expanded its operations beyond Gaza, launching strikes against Hezbollah positions in Beirut and multiple sites in Lebanon. Israeli airforce also targeted Houthi positions in Hodeida, Yemen. On September 29, Netanyahu stated that these military operations aim to establish a new balance of power in the Middle East.

Netanyahu highlighted that the ongoing conflicts are part of a comprehensive strategy, declaring, “Our enemies will once again recognize that Israel is a strong, determined, and powerful nation.” He characterized the situation as a “seven-front war,” identifying adversaries including Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and groups operating in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.

The Wall Street Journal reported on September 30, citing knowledgeable sources, that Israeli special forces are conducting small-scale targeted raids in southern Lebanon, with a potential ground invasion on the horizon this week. The increasing tensions between Israel and Iranian-backed groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis have escalated the prospect of full-scale war in the region.

Notably, the airstrikes were not confined to Hezbollah; Israeli forces also targeted areas in predominantly Sunni Beirut. On the same day, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) announced the deaths of three high-ranking members in Lebanon due to the Israeli strikes. This incident marks the first instance of an attack on Beirut’s urban area since the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Reports indicate that on September 29, Israeli forces focused on Hezbollah rocket launchers and arms depots at various locations in Lebanon, and on September 28, additional high-ranking Hezbollah officials—including a Central Committee member—were reportedly killed.

Recent Israeli military actions along its northern border suggest preparations for a possible ground invasion. Sources indicate that Israeli forces have been active in southern Lebanon, allegedly infiltrating Hezbollah’s tunnel networks near the border to undermine the group’s grip in the region. However, the timing for a comprehensive ground operation remains uncertain, particularly regarding how long Israeli forces plan to occupy southern Lebanon or if their strategy will involve a series of larger raids.

In a statement made on September 30, Hezbollah’s second-in-command, Qassem, declared their readiness to respond to any Israeli aggression in Lebanon, vowing that Israel’s objectives would ultimately fail.

Meanwhile, on September 28, as Netanyahu returned from the UN, the Houthi movement fired a ballistic missile toward Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, which was intercepted before it could enter Israeli airspace. In retaliation, Israeli jets targeted Hodeida’s power plant and port facilities the following day. The Houthis reported that these strikes resulted in at least four deaths and 33 injuries.