Israel strikes Beirut s southern suburbs after Hezbollah attacks

Israel conducted significant airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, which are controlled by Hezbollah, on Monday. This action followed the launch of missiles and drones by Hezbollah aimed at Israel, in response to the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Witnesses reported more than a dozen explosions in Beirut, marking the most intense strikes on these suburbs since the 2024 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. According to Lebanese security sources, airstrikes targeted multiple areas within the southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh. The Israeli military announced that it had started attacking Hezbollah positions throughout Lebanon and held the group accountable for the situation. Israeli Chief of the General Staff, Eyal Zamir, stated, “Hezbollah opened a campaign against Israel overnight, and is fully responsible for any escalation.” The missiles fired by Hezbollah were the first since the onset of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Additionally, Israeli airstrikes were reported in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, according to Lebanese security sources. Hezbollah, a key ally of Iran in the Middle East, declared that its attack on Israel was a reaction to Khamenei’s assassination and ongoing Israeli violations against Lebanon. In a statement, Hezbollah said, “The resistance leadership has always emphasised that the continuation of Israeli attacks and the assassination of our leaders, youth, and people gives us the right to defend ourselves and respond at the appropriate time and place.”