In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Israel unleashed a barrage of airstrikes on Hezbollah-controlled areas in Lebanon, following an attack by the Iran-allied group. The strikes came in response to Hezbollah's launch of missiles and drones towards Israel, allegedly in retaliation for the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
The early morning assault on Beirut's southern suburbs sent shockwaves through the city, with residents reporting around a dozen blasts at 3 am. The explosions shattered windows and reverberated across the capital, with the sound of warplanes and bombs heard from miles away. The impact was particularly severe in southern Lebanon, where airstrikes caused buildings to collapse in villages near Tyre.
The death toll from the strikes rose to at least 31, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Hezbollah, in a statement, claimed responsibility for launching a barrage of missiles and drones at the Mishmar al-Karmel missile defense facility near Haifa, in a 'retaliation' for the killing of Khamenei and in defense of Lebanon and its people.
In response, Israel swiftly struck Hezbollah targets across south Lebanon, the Bekaa valley, and the Beirut suburb of Dahieh. The Israeli military alleged that the strikes on Dahieh had resulted in the deaths of several senior Hezbollah officers. Israeli military chief, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, warned, 'Hezbollah opened a campaign against Israel overnight and is fully responsible for any escalation. Any enemy that threatens our security will pay a heavy price.'
The Israeli military issued evacuation orders for 55 villages and towns across Lebanon, urging residents to move at least 1,000 meters away due to the proximity of Hezbollah operatives and facilities. The situation escalated further as people began to flee Dahieh, with cars and scooters gridlocking the highways leading to the capital. Residents headed northwards, with lines of cars forming outside petrol stations in Tyre.
Videos depicted the devastation in Dahieh, with buildings engulfed in flames and burnt-out car husks scattered around. Witnesses reported seeing rocket barrages from south Lebanon towards Israel, suggesting Hezbollah's artillery volleys. The memory of the 13-month war between Israel and Hezbollah, which ended in 2024, loomed large, raising fears that Dahieh, the Bekaa valley, and large parts of the south could become uninhabitable, as they were heavily bombed during that conflict, resulting in nearly 4,000 deaths and a million displacements.
As the situation unfolded, families and friends scrambled to devise plans and understand the unfolding events. Lebanon's government swiftly condemned Hezbollah's actions, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stating, 'I will not allow the country to be dragged into new adventures.' He described the rocket fire from southern Lebanon as an 'irresponsible and suspicious act' that endangers Lebanon's security and provides Israel with pretexts for continued aggression.
Lebanese officials had been working to prevent Hezbollah from joining any potential war in Iran, as Israel had warned that any attack would trigger a wide-ranging response against the entire country.
