Israel has launched airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, marking the third such attack since a ceasefire began in late November. On Sunday, smoke filled the sky after the strike, which followed an evacuation warning issued by Israel. There are currently no reports of casualties.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack, urging France and the United States, who helped broker the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, to intervene and stop Israel from continuing its strikes. He stated that these actions threaten Lebanon’s stability and escalate regional tensions.
The Israeli military claimed that the strike targeted a facility where Hezbollah was allegedly storing precision missiles. However, they did not provide evidence to support this assertion, and no secondary explosions were reported after the attack. Footage from local sources showed significant damage, with windows shattered and cars damaged in the vicinity.
Al Jazeera’s reporter in Beirut noted the chaos at the scene, describing widespread damage to nearby buildings. She emphasized that while the strike came with a warning, it occurred without any provocation, raising concerns that Israel may be changing the rules of engagement.
Retired Lebanese army general Elias Hanna suggested that the warning before the strike might have been part of an intelligence-gathering effort. By alerting potential targets, Israel could observe their movements and gather information on Hezbollah’s activities.
The ongoing conflict has seen Israeli forces frequently target Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut, a region where the group has considerable support. This latest incident has raised alarms about a potential escalation in violence.
The United States has been pressuring Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, but President Aoun has called this a sensitive issue that needs careful handling to maintain peace in the country. Hezbollah, which positions itself as a defender against Israel, has vowed not to disarm.