What’s happening:

Anti-Hezbollah groups in Lebanon breached the information displays at Beirut’s international airport, replacing flight details with messages condemning Hezbollah’s actions and accusing the group of endangering Lebanon with the potential of war against Israel.

Why it matters:

The cyberattack highlights the growing internal opposition to Hezbollah within Lebanon, as well as the increasing stakes in the group’s prolonged conflict with Israel. If hostilities continue to escalate, they could potentially draw Lebanon into a wider regional confrontation.

The details:

On Sunday, domestic hackers took over the main display screens at Beirut’s airport, posting messages that criticized Hezbollah’s involvement in Lebanon’s affairs, suggesting the group bears the brunt of the responsibility for any warfare with Israel. The messages also included logos from the groups Soldiers of God and The One Who Spoke, although Soldiers of God has denied involvement.

The impact:

The attack caused a disruption in the airport’s baggage inspection system. As authorities worked to correct the situation, passengers recorded the hacked messages, spreading them across social media platforms.

Recent escalations:

Hezbollah has increased its assaults on Israeli military targets since the conflict between Hamas and Israel broke out. After the killing of a top Hamas official by what was believed to be an Israeli strike, the situation has intensified, with Hezbollah firing rockets into Israel. In response to the attacks, Israel has conducted strikes on Hezbollah positions and is eager to push Iranian influence further away from its borders.

International response:

The United States is actively seeking to de-escalate tensions, with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visiting the region. The European Union is also engaging with Hezbollah’s political arm to prevent further deterioration of the fragile stability in Lebanon.

Casualties and concerns:

In the ongoing skirmishes, both Israel and Lebanon have suffered military and civilian casualties. The international community and the Lebanese government are working to stave off a full-scale conflict, seeking to prevent the war from expanding beyond the current fronts and enveloping the region.

This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.