Israeli airstrikes have hit Beirut for the first time since last month’s ceasefire, targeting a crowded suburb without prior warning. The attack has heightened tensions in the Lebanese capital. Residents and officials are grappling with the aftermath as military activity intensifies across the region.
An apartment building in Choueifat, a densely populated area near Beirut’s international airport, was struck by Israeli fighter jets on Thursday afternoon. The Israeli military described the operation as “targeted,” but did not elaborate on the intended objective. Local media reports suggested the strike was aimed at a senior Hezbollah member.
RT journalist Ali Rida Sbeity, reporting from the scene, said the attack came as a shock to those living in the area.
“No warning”
was given to residents before the strike, according to Sbeity, who also described the operation as
“very precise.”
Many people had only recently returned to the neighbourhood after a period of relative calm.
Following the airstrike, Sbeity observed a surge in drone flights over Beirut and its southern districts. Several unmanned aerial vehicles were seen flying at low altitude, adding to the sense of unease among residents.
“People here know that if they [Israel] have a target, or what they call an assassination operation, it will happen without any warning,”
Sbeity reported.
The attack on Beirut coincided with a broader expansion of Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon. On Wednesday, the Israeli Defence Forces issued evacuation orders for parts of the south and declared the border region a “combat zone.” This escalation has led to increased displacement and anxiety among communities near the frontier.
Overnight Israeli strikes reportedly resulted in at least 16 deaths and dozens of injuries. The Lebanese Health Ministry stated that since hostilities intensified on March 2, more than 3,269 people have been killed and over 9,800 wounded. The ongoing violence has placed immense strain on medical services and local infrastructure.
The Israeli military’s latest campaign against Hezbollah began shortly after a joint US-Israeli operation targeting Iran. Security officials from Lebanon and Israel are scheduled to meet in the United States for talks on Friday. However, Hezbollah has dismissed the significance of these discussions, while Iran has linked its own negotiations with Washington to an end to the conflict in Lebanon.
Both the Israeli Defence Forces and Hezbollah have repeatedly accused each other of breaching the ceasefire that was established on April 17. Despite these mutual allegations, Beirut had largely avoided direct strikes until this week’s attack. The renewed violence has raised concerns about further escalation and the potential for broader conflict in the region.
The situation remains volatile as diplomatic efforts continue alongside military operations. Residents of Beirut and southern Lebanon face uncertainty as the risk of additional strikes persists, and international attention is focused on efforts to de-escalate the crisis.