Israel Strikes Beirut: International Update

On Sunday, Israel conducted an airstrike on the southern outskirts of Beirut following orders for residents to evacuate a structure they claimed was utilized by the Iran-supported organization Hezbollah.

The assault took place even though a truce was implemented five months prior, effectively ending the hostilities between Israel and the militant organization.

Israel stated that it had attacked a Hezbollah facility housing " precision-guided missiles," which they believe poses a danger to both the state of Israel and its citizens.

The Lebanese presidency denounced the strike and urged the United States and France — who mediated the truce in November — to urge Israel to halt its assaults on Lebanon.

This assault represents the first occurrence within nearly four weeks that Israel has targeted Beirut’s southern outskirts known as Dahieh, which serves as Hezbollah’s stronghold.

This will put further pressure on the ceasefire. Despite the deal, Israel has struck targets it says are linked to Hezbollah almost every day. The Israeli government has said that it will respond to any perceived threats from Hezbollah.

Western authorities indicate that the extremist organization has generally adhered to the ceasefire agreement, whereas they accuse Israel of numerous breaches.

Video footage provided by Reuters depicted a massive column of smoke rising from the struck structure one hour following the Israeli military's directive for inhabitants of the Hadath district to evacuate.

Lebanon's Civil Defence subsequently stated that no injuries were reported and the rescue teams had put out the blaze.

Following the strike, the Lebanese Presidency issued a statement on X where President Joseph Aoun denounced the assault.

"The United States and France, being the guarantors of the ceasefire agreement, must take up their duties and force Israel to halt its assaults at once," it stated.

Continued destabilizing actions by Israel will heighten tensions and leave the area vulnerable to genuine threats against its security and stability.

Israel's government said that it had targeted a Hezbollah store of "precision-guided missiles".

"The storage of missiles in this infrastructure site constitutes a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon, and poses a threat to the State of Israel and its civilians," the Israeli military said in a statement.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that Israel "will not allow Hezbollah to grow stronger".

"The Dahiyeh neighborhood in Beirut will not be considered a secure refuge for the terrorist organization Hezbollah," the statement continued.

The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, stated on X that the strike caused "panic and a fear of renewed violence among people who are eager to restore normalcy."

She emphasized, 'We encourage all parties to stop any actions that might further erode the truce.'

Earlier this month an An Israeli air strike in Beirut's southern suburbs resulted in the deaths of four individuals. including an official from Hezbollah.

• Suburban schools near Beirut dread potential resurgence of conflict following fresh Israeli attacks.
• Israel launches attacks on Lebanon following the initial rocket assault since the truce.
• What is Hezbollah and why has it been fighting Israel?