Israel Strikes Beirut for First Time Since Ceasefire with Hezbollah

Beirut has once again found itself at the heart of a rapidly escalating conflict, as Israel has launched an unprecedented attack on the Lebanese capital for the first time since a fragile ceasefire concluded the latest Israel-Hezbollah war in November. The atmosphere in Beirut was shattered by a powerful explosion, followed by plumes of smoke rising from the area, which had been forewarned for potential strikes by the Israeli military.

Urgent Warnings and Retaliation

The Israeli military's urgent warnings for people to evacuate parts of a suburb in Beirut preceded the attack. The warning came as a rebuttal to what Israel claimed were rocket strikes launched from Lebanon into northern Israel. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) specifically targeted what they described as a Hezbollah drone storage facility in the Dahiyeh neighborhood, a region long recognized as a significant Hezbollah stronghold.

Tensions Escalate and Denials Resurface

Despite Hezbollah's denial of the alleged rocket fire at northern Israel, the group accused Israel of seeking a pretext to escalate attacks on Lebanon. These escalating tensions prompted the Lebanese government to order the closure of all schools and universities in Beirut's southern suburb of Hadath for the day, showcasing the gravity of the situation. Residents were seen evacuating the area, seeking safety from the impending strike.

This marked the first strike on Beirut since the ceasefire that came into effect on November 27, 2024.

Shifting Dynamics and International Reactions

The attack on Beirut coincided with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's first official visit to Paris, where he met with President Emmanuel Macron. Following their meeting, President Macron condemned the Israeli strike as "unacceptable" and a "violation of the ceasefire," arguing that it would only serve to strengthen Hezbollah's position. Aoun characterized the strike as a continuation of Israel's ongoing violations of the November ceasefire agreement, sponsored by the U.S. and France.