BEIRUT (AP) — On Monday, Israel's government executed airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, marking a significant escalation in the conflict a day after Israeli ground forces advanced deeper into Lebanese territory than they have in 26 years. The strikes followed rocket attacks from Hezbollah targeting northern Israel, including areas on the outskirts of the coastal city of Haifa.
According to a joint statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, the decision to strike was made in response to what they described as repeated violations of the ceasefire by Hezbollah and attacks on Israeli cities and citizens. As a result, the Israeli military was directed to target positions in Beirut’s southern suburbs, an area known as Dahiyeh in Arabic, where Hezbollah has substantial support.
Hezbollah had previously committed to halting attacks on Israel following the ceasefire agreement established in mid-April. However, violence escalated after Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, which Israel characterized as acts of self-defense. Following the announcement of airstrikes, massive crowds were observed fleeing Dahiyeh, causing significant traffic jams on roads exiting the suburb.
Overnight airstrikes conducted by Israel resulted in six casualties, including a Syrian citizen, in a village near Nabatiyeh, as reported by the state-run National News Agency. The Israeli military also announced that its Air Force intercepted two projectiles launched from Lebanon toward Israeli territory, along with a suspicious aerial target in the area where Israeli forces are operating. Thankfully, no injuries were reported from these interceptions.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched rockets and missiles targeting northern Israel on Sunday. The ongoing exchange of fire continues despite a nominal ceasefire that has been in effect since April 17. As tensions escalate, Lebanon and Israel are scheduled to engage in further direct talks in Washington, starting Tuesday, to address the ongoing conflict. Hezbollah, however, has declined to participate in these talks, relying instead on support from Iran.
Negotiations between Israeli and Lebanese officials, which began in April in Washington, represent the first such discussions in over three decades, as the two nations have no formal diplomatic relations. Since the ceasefire took hold, Beirut has largely avoided airstrikes, with the exception of two targeted attacks on the southern suburbs earlier this May.
A U.S. official revealed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had engaged with both Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Netanyahu to suggest a new path to maintain dialogue amid the ongoing conflict. Under the proposed arrangement, Hezbollah would cease all attacks on Israel while Israel would refrain from escalating military actions in Beirut. President Trump is contemplating extending a ceasefire arrangement with Iran as part of these diplomatic efforts.
Aoun expressed openness to the proposal but mentioned that Lebanese parliament chief Nabih Berri insisted that Israel must first halt all military activities. Berri, a significant ally of Hezbollah, asserted that he could guarantee the group's full commitment to a ceasefire but questioned who would compel Israel to cease its aggression.
President Aoun condemned what he termed "Israeli aggression" and reiterated his government's commitment to alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese populace. The recent surge in hostilities has resulted in a considerable death toll, with the latest round of fighting reported to have claimed 3,412 lives in Lebanon and displaced over one million individuals.
Casualty figures indicate that at least 26 Israeli soldiers and a defense contractor have died in or near southern Lebanon, alongside two civilian fatalities in northern Israel. The Israeli military has reported a soldier's death due to a drone attack from Hezbollah, highlighting the effectiveness of the group's fiber optic drones against Israeli forces.
As the conflict escalates, the outlook for peace remains uncertain, with significant risks for both sides as they grapple with the implications of ongoing military confrontations and diplomatic negotiations.
