Israel conducted airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs on Sunday, resulting in three fatalities, in retaliation for what it described as Hezbollah rocket fire targeting northern Israel. The Israeli military also launched broader attacks across southern Lebanon.
The escalation occurred amid speculation of an imminent deal between the United States and Iran aimed at de-escalating regional conflict. However, Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated that continuing peace talks with Washington was pointless following the Beirut strike. Tehran maintains that a ceasefire in Lebanon is a prerequisite for any agreement.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah commenced on March 2, following rocket attacks by the Iran-backed group into Israel, which they stated was in response to the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader in prior US-Israeli strikes. Lebanon's National News Agency reported that an apartment in Ghobeiry, a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut's southern suburbs, was hit. An Associated Press correspondent observed smoke and debris at the scene, with rescue efforts underway, indicating significant damage and panic in the area.
Lebanon's civil defense agency confirmed three deaths and six injuries. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, had previously warned of strikes on southern Beirut if Hezbollah targeted northern Israeli communities, a stance reportedly supported by Washington. Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli military reported three separate incidents involving suspected Hezbollah drones targeting northern Israel without causing casualties. Hezbollah, conversely, claimed responsibility for attacks on Israeli troops in southern Lebanon but denied targeting northern Israel.
The Israeli military stated it had executed a "precise strike on a Hezbollah command centre" in the Dahiyeh district of Beirut, framing it as a response to Hezbollah's actions. This follows a similar strike on Beirut's southern suburbs the previous week, after which Iran launched missiles towards Israel, prompting retaliatory Israeli strikes before a temporary cessation of hostilities. Iran had previously warned of retaliatory measures if the Lebanese capital were targeted.
The strikes also targeted over 20 locations in southern Lebanon, including the city of Nabatieh, according to Lebanon's NNA. These attacks occurred amidst Israeli military warnings for evacuations in nearly 30 locations in the country's south. The focus of Israeli military activity has recently been concentrated in the Nabatieh region.
