The Israeli Air Force launched airstrikes in Beirut’s southern Danieh suburb on Tuesday, marking the largest escalation between Israel and Hezbollah since the ceasefire agreement signed in November 2024.
In a statement on X, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that its jets had targeted a Hezbollah "terrorist" who had "recently been directing Hamas operatives and assisting them in attempting to carry out a serious attack" against Israeli civilians.
"The terrorist posed a real and immediate threat, and therefore, the IDF and Shin Bet acted to eliminate this threat," the Israeli military said.
Lebanese state media reported that the airstrike "flattened" a multi-storey residential building, killing at least three people and injuring seven others.
The sources claimed that a "regular member" of Hezbollah had been killed in the attack.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, condemned the renewed Israeli strikes, stating on Saturday, "This aggression must end. We cannot allow this to continue."
Earlier on Friday, the Israeli Air Force had carried out its first significant airstrikes in Beirut since November 2023. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said the attack was in retaliation for rocket fire from Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
“We will not allow any firing on our communities, not even a drizzle,” he warned. “We will attack anywhere in Lebanon against any threat to Israel, and we will ensure that all of us in the north return to their homes safely.”
Hezbollah has been retaliating with rockets and mortars in response to the IDF’s operations against Hamas in Gaza.
In September 2024, Israel intensified its airstrikes on the Lebanese capital, killing several senior Hezbollah officials, including the group’s long-time leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
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