In a dramatic escalation, Israeli fighter jets struck Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday, marking the third since a ceasefire agreement took hold late last November. Thick clouds of smoke rose over the Hadath area as families fled in panic, reported by Daily Hurriyet.
The Israeli military issued a rare advance warning, urging residents to evacuate at least 300 meters away from the target site before launching two warning strikes, followed by the main attack. No casualties were immediately reported, but fear swept through the Al-Jamous neighborhood as gunfire rang out, alerting people to seek shelter.
Beirut’s southern suburbs have long been seen as a stronghold of Hezbollah, the powerful Lebanese group Israel accuses of stockpiling weapons and operating militant facilities. In past conflicts, Israel has struck the area heavily, targeting Hezbollah leaders and infrastructure.
This latest strike follows two earlier assaults: one on March 28, after a similar warning, and another on April 1 that killed four people, including a Hezbollah official, without prior notice.
Hezbollah’s second-in-command, Sheikh Naim Kassem, recently warned that continued Israeli attacks might force the group to explore “other alternatives” if Lebanon’s government does not act. He also insisted that Hezbollah fighters will not disarm as long as Israeli forces occupy Lebanese land and violate its airspace.
The ceasefire, brokered by the U.S., was meant to end hostilities by requiring Israeli withdrawals and Hezbollah’s pullback from the southern Litani River area. However, Israeli airstrikes have continued almost daily, targeting what it claims are Hezbollah militants and bases in southern and eastern Lebanon.
Earlier on Sunday, a separate Israeli drone strike killed a man in Halta village. Israel later confirmed it targeted a Hezbollah member accused of rebuilding the group’s operations.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s military is slowly deploying in the south, and officials are calling on the international community to pressure Israel to fully withdraw and end its airstrikes.
The fragile peace, it seems, hangs by a thread.
