Israel has conducted airstrikes on the Lebanese capital of Beirut for the first time since the ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect back in November.
Friday’s attack began with a threat and a warning, with the Israeli army telling people to evacuate parts of the southern Beirut suburb of Hadath. Middle East correspondents report a “heavy bombardment” of Beirut, as clearly the ceasefire is effectively dead.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun confirmed the Israeli attack, calling it a “continuation of Israel’s violation of the agreement sponsored by France and the United States.”
Aoun said “the international community must put an end to these attacks and force Israel to abide by the agreement, just as Lebanon is committed to it.”
All schools and universities in the suburb of Hadath have been ordered closed for the day by the Lebanese government, as residents fled in cars and by foot after the Israeli warning.
Scenes of panic ensued after the Israeli army’s Arabic spokesman said earlier, “To everyone present in the building marked in red as shown on the map and the buildings adjacent to it: You are present near facilities belonging to Hezbollah,” on X,
“For your safety and the safety of your families, you are obliged to evacuate these buildings immediately and stay away from them at a distance of no less than 300 meters, as shown on the map,” the warning notice added.
Israel has claimed Hezbollah has been launching attacks again into northern Israel, and is framing this new aggression on Beirut as retaliation.
Casualties are already being reported in southern Lebanon as well. The Beirut strikes “came as Israel launched a wave of attacks in southern Lebanon on Friday, including a deadly strike on Kfar Tebnit in Nabatieh.” Middle East Eye continues, “The attack killed one person and wounded eight others, including three children, Lebanon’s health ministry said.”
