In a significant escalation of conflict, an Israeli airstrike targeting Beirut’s southern suburbs has resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. This incident further strains a tenuous ceasefire that has been in place between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
Details of the Airstrike
The attack marks the second strike on the Dahieh area, known for its Hezbollah presence, within a matter of days, despite a truce that was established in November. The Israeli military stated that the operation aimed to eliminate a Hezbollah operative who allegedly assisted Hamas in orchestrating an attack against Israeli civilians. Hezbollah has not publicly responded to this incident.
Official Reactions
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun condemned the airstrike, characterizing it as a serious warning. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam echoed these sentiments, describing the action as a “flagrant violation” of the ceasefire agreement. The strike occurred during the night, catching residents off guard, with images from the scene revealing significant damage to the upper floors of an apartment building.
“Due to the immediate threat posed,” the Israeli military stated, “we acted to eliminate him and removed the threat.”
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) confirmed in a statement that they conducted an airstrike in the Dahieh area. They emphasized the operation’s necessity, citing the urgent danger posed by the targeted individual, who had reportedly been involved in directing Hamas operatives and planning a major attack against Israeli civilians.
Last Friday marked the first Israeli strike on Beirut since the ceasefire began, following a long period of conflict with Hezbollah. The IDF’s earlier actions had targeted a drone storage facility utilized by Hezbollah after two rockets were fired from southern Lebanon into northern Israel. Hezbollah denied any involvement in this rocket attack and affirmed its commitment to upholding the ceasefire, while no other armed factions claimed responsibility for the incident.
Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued its pattern of near-daily airstrikes against entities and individuals it associates with Hezbollah, maintaining that these actions are necessary to prevent the group from rearming. The Lebanese government asserts that these strikes, along with the ongoing presence of Israeli troops in five locations throughout southern Lebanon, constitute violations of the ceasefire agreement.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensified after Hamas launched attacks on October 7, 2023, prompting Hezbollah to declare its engagement in the conflict as supportive of the Palestinian cause in Gaza. The ensuing military campaign has resulted in approximately 4,000 fatalities in Lebanon, many of whom were civilians, and displaced over 1.2 million residents. Israel’s stated objectives in its operations against Hezbollah include facilitating the return of around 60,000 displaced individuals from northern communities and eliminating the group’s presence near the border.