Israel’s air force launched a significant airstrike on a building in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Friday, marking the first major bombardment since a November truce ended hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, according to reports.
The strike, which sent a massive column of black smoke into the sky, followed an Israeli military evacuation order for the area and three smaller drone strikes intended as warnings, security sources reported.
Gunfire was heard in some southern areas as a warning for residents to leave, prompting many to flee on foot or in vehicles. Israel’s military posted a warning in Arabic on X, urging people in Hezbollah-dominated areas to evacuate, stating, “You are located near facilities affiliated with Hezbollah,” alongside a marked map.
The attack followed Israel’s pledge to retaliate for rocket fire from Lebanon, which it attributed to Hezbollah. However, Hezbollah denied launching the rockets and accused Israel of using the situation as a pretext for further aggression. Israeli Defense Minister stated that if northern Israeli communities did not have peace, neither would Beirut.
The ongoing conflict has intensified since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel triggered war in Gaza. Hezbollah subsequently escalated hostilities, launching projectiles at Israel.
By September, the situation had devolved into full-scale war, with Israeli airstrikes targeting and eliminating many of Hezbollah’s senior leaders. More than 4,000 people in Lebanon have been killed, and approximately 60,000 Israelis displaced.
Under a ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces were supposed to withdraw from Lebanese territory by late January, later extended to February 18. However, Israel has maintained a presence in five Lebanese locations and continued conducting airstrikes. Last week, Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed six people, prompting the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon to express concern over escalating violence.
The latest strike coincides with Israel’s renewed attacks on Gaza, following the breakdown of a ceasefire with Hamas. Israel has also halted humanitarian aid to Gaza and vowed to continue military operations until Hamas returns hostages and relinquishes control. Meanwhile, Hamas has demanded a lasting ceasefire, an Israeli withdrawal, and a prisoner exchange.
