BEIRUT. Israel launched an airstrike on Beirut for the first time since a ceasefire ended its recent war with Hezbollah, hitting what it claimed was a Hezbollah drone storage facility in the Dahiyeh district. The attack, which took place on Friday, was in response to alleged rocket fire from Lebanon into northern Israel, according to Israeli officials.
Residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs heard a loud explosion as smoke billowed from the targeted area, which is a mix of residential and commercial properties and is near at least two schools. Israel had previously warned civilians to evacuate before the strike.
“We will not allow firing at our communities, not even a trickle,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared. “We will attack everywhere in Lebanon, against any threat to the State of Israel.”
Hezbollah, however, denied launching the rockets and accused Israel of seeking a pretext for its continued military actions.
In response to the strike, Lebanon’s government ordered schools and universities in Hadath to close as residents fled the area by car and on foot.
The attack drew immediate condemnation from French President Emmanuel Macron, who described it as “unacceptable” and vowed to discuss the matter with Netanyahu and U.S. officials.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun denounced the airstrike as a “violation of the agreement” brokered by France and the U.S..
Meanwhile, a U.S. State Department spokeswoman, Tammy Bruce, defended Israel’s actions, stating:
“Israel is defending its people and interests by responding to rocket attacks from terrorists in Lebanon. We expect the Lebanese Armed Forces to disarm these terrorists to prevent further hostilities.”
The U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, warned that the escalation had created “a critical period for Lebanon and the wider region.”
In addition to the Beirut strike, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed at least three people and wounded 18 others, including women and children in the village of Kfar Tibnit, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
This latest escalation comes as Israel continues its military offensive in Gaza, where over 50,000 people have been killed since the conflict reignited.
With tensions mounting, Israel has vowed to continue its operations unless Hezbollah ceases attacks and Lebanon’s government takes action against the militant group.
As the situation unfolds, fears grow that a renewed, full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah could be imminent.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
