BEIRUT — The Israeli military launched airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Thursday, targeting sites it claims were used by Hezbollah for drone production. This action coincided with the eve of the Eid al-Adha holiday and marks Israel’s first attack in the region in over a month. It also represents the fourth such strike since a US-brokered ceasefire ended the recent conflict with Hezbollah in November.
Prior to the strikes, Israel issued a warning on social media, announcing plans to hit multiple targets in the area. The ongoing military operations have been described by Israeli officials as necessary measures to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing its military capabilities following significant losses during the conflict. They assert that the group, which Israel claims is under the influence of Iranian support, is working on expanding its drone manufacturing capabilities.
Hezbollah has yet to respond formally to the strikes, although a representative denied the presence of any drone production facilities at the targeted sites. The group accused Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu of seeking continued hostilities in the region rather than adhering to the ceasefire agreement.
In response to the airstrikes, a Lebanese army official stated that efforts were made to dissuade Israel from proceeding with its military actions and to allow Lebanese officials to investigate under the ceasefire terms. However, Israeli forces allegedly disregarded these appeals, leading Lebanese troops to retreat from the target areas.
The recent conflict has resulted in substantial casualties, with over 4,000 deaths reported in Lebanon, including civilian lives lost. Since the ceasefire, the Lebanese government indicated that Israeli airstrikes have caused further fatalities and injuries, raising international and domestic calls for Hezbollah to disarm. Nevertheless, officials within the group maintain that disarmament will not occur until Israel ceases its strikes and withdraws from occupied territories along the southern border.
This ongoing tension highlights the precarious situation in the region and the challenges of maintaining peace. As the conflict persists, diplomatic efforts to manage and resolve these tensions remain crucial for both Lebanon and the broader Middle East.