The Australian Foreign Editor Greg Sheridan says Israel “decided to escalate” its conflict with Hezbollah after the “clear act of war” committed by the terrorist group.

At least 492 people have been killed after Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon in what is being called the deadliest day in the country since 2006.

Around 1,300 targets have been struck, with Israel accusing them of housing Hezbollah weapons.

“Israel has decided to escalate at this moment, but we ought to bear in mind the context,” Mr Sheridan told Sky News Australia.

“Since October 7, there have been something 9,000 rockets fired by Hezbollah into Israeli territory.

“The vast majority of these have been intercepted by the Iron Dome, but that is a clear act of war by Hezbollah against Israel.”