The sound of fighter jets pierced through Lebanon's capital as Israeli forces conducted their third strike on Beirut's southern suburbs since the November ceasefire.
According to NewsNation, Israeli military targeted a precision-guided missile storage facility operated by Hezbollah, claiming the militant group violated the ceasefire agreement by maintaining such weaponry.
The strike, which occurred after an hour-long warning to evacuate, created a massive plume of smoke over the area. Israeli jets hit what appeared to be a metal tent situated between two buildings with three bombs. An Associated Press photographer documented the aftermath, revealing two destroyed trucks inside the hangar, though no immediate casualties were reported.
The Israeli Defense Forces urged residents near the Hadath area to maintain a 300-meter distance from the target site. Local gunfire erupted to alert residents, causing families to flee in panic. The military views the southern suburbs as a militant stronghold, having previously conducted operations there, including the assassination of several Hezbollah leaders.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack and called upon the United States and France to intervene. The president emphasized the need for these ceasefire guarantors to pressure Israel into halting its operations.
U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis expressed concern about the escalating situation through social media platforms. She stressed the importance of maintaining the fragile peace established by previous agreements.
Hezbollah's second-in-command, Sheikh Naim Kassem, recently issued a stern warning to Israel regarding continued aggression. The militant group maintains its position on retaining weapons while Israeli forces remain in southern Lebanon.
Under the U.S.-mediated agreement, Israeli forces were required to withdraw from Lebanese territory by late January. Similarly, Hezbollah agreed to end its armed presence south of the Litani River along the Israeli border.
The Lebanese government reports significant casualties since the ceasefire implementation. According to official figures, Israeli strikes have resulted in 190 deaths and 485 injuries among Lebanese civilians.
Earlier on Sunday, an Israeli drone strike claimed another life in the southern Lebanese village of Halta. The Israeli military confirmed targeting a Hezbollah member allegedly involved in rebuilding the group's infrastructure.
The Lebanese military has begun deploying forces throughout the southern region. Government officials continue to press for international intervention to ensure Israeli compliance with the ceasefire terms.
The situation remains particularly tense as Israel maintains control over five strategic hilltops within Lebanese territory, contrary to the withdrawal agreement's stipulations.
The latest Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs marks the third such operation since the November ceasefire, demonstrating the ongoing military tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. The attack targeted a precision-guided missile storage facility, reflecting Israel's continued efforts to neutralize what it considers threats from the militant group. As Lebanon grapples with mounting casualties and territorial disputes, the international community faces increasing pressure to address the violations of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement and facilitate a path toward regional stability.
