Israeli forces launched military strikes against Beirut’s southern suburbs Monday, marking a significant escalation one day after ground troops penetrated deeper into Lebanon than they have in over two decades, while Hezbollah militants launched rockets targeting northern Israeli territory, including areas near the coastal city of Haifa.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz released a joint statement explaining their decision to authorize military action against targets in the southern Beirut area known as Dahiyeh. They cited what they described as ongoing ceasefire violations by Hezbollah and “attacks against our cities and citizens” as justification for the strikes.
The militant group had committed to ending attacks against Israel when both sides agreed to a ceasefire in mid-April, but fighting resumed after Israeli military operations in Lebanon that Israel described as defensive measures.
Following Monday’s strike warning, residents of Dahiyeh began evacuating in large numbers, creating traffic congestion on roads leading away from the area where Hezbollah maintains strong community backing.
Overnight Israeli air operations in southern Lebanon resulted in six fatalities, including one Syrian national in a community near Nabatiyeh, according to the state-run National News Agency.
Israeli military officials reported that their Air Force successfully intercepted two projectiles fired from Lebanese territory toward Israel, along with a suspicious aircraft in the region where Israeli troops are conducting operations in southern Lebanon. Military sources indicated no casualties occurred from these incidents.
Hezbollah confirmed conducting rocket and missile operations against northern Israeli targets on Sunday.
This recent violence occurred despite an existing ceasefire arrangement that has been active since April 17, and just before Lebanon and Israel are scheduled to participate in another round of direct negotiations in Washington beginning Tuesday. Hezbollah has declined to participate in direct discussions, relying instead on pressure from Iran, which has called for an end to the Lebanese conflict in its own discussions with Washington.
The Washington negotiations between high-ranking Israeli and Lebanese officials, which started in April, represent the first such direct discussions between the nations in more than thirty years, as they maintain no official diplomatic ties.
The Lebanese capital has largely avoided airstrikes since the ceasefire took effect, with the exception of two specific attacks on the city’s southern areas in May.
A U.S. official revealed late Sunday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had contacted Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to suggest a new approach for continuing current negotiations, while President Donald Trump considers a potential ceasefire extension involving Iran.
The proposal calls for Hezbollah to cease all attacks on Israel while Israel would avoid escalating military actions in Beirut, according to the official who requested anonymity when discussing confidential diplomatic communications.
The official indicated that Aoun showed interest in the proposal, but Lebanese parliament chief Nabih Berri responded by insisting that Israel must first cease all military activities.
The official noted that the Trump administration does not anticipate Israel abandoning its right to respond to Hezbollah attacks on its territory.
Berri, who maintains close ties with Hezbollah, issued a statement Sunday saying he could ensure the militant organization’s “full, comprehensive and immediate commitment to a ceasefire.” Berri questioned “but who will force Israel to stop its aggression?”
Aoun stated Monday in remarks issued by his office that “Lebanon is facing a fierce and condemned Israeli aggression.” He added that his administration continues working to end “the suffering of the Lebanese in general and the southerners in particular.”
The current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in 3,412 deaths in Lebanon and forced more than 1 million people from their homes.
Israeli military sources confirmed that one soldier died in southern Lebanon overnight during a drone attack conducted by Hezbollah. The militant group’s deployment of difficult-to-detect fiber optic drones has proven particularly lethal for Israeli forces, who are having difficulty countering these weapons.
Netanyahu’s office reports that at least 26 Israeli soldiers and one defense contractor have died in or around southern Lebanon. Additionally, two civilians have been killed in northern Israel.
