Israel orders strikes on Beirut's suburbs as Lebanon incursion deepens

Israel's military has escalated its operations in Lebanon, pushing deeper into the country and ordering strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, a key stronghold of Hezbollah. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the military's capture of the medieval Beaufort castle on May 31 as a "dramatic shift" in the campaign against the militant group.

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dramatic shift

This latest incursion marks Israel's deepest into Lebanese territory in two decades. The decision to target Beirut's southern suburbs, which had been largely spared heavy attacks since April, comes amid ongoing accusations between Israel and Hezbollah of violating a fragile ceasefire. Both parties routinely accuse each other of breaches, using these alleged violations as justification for their respective attacks.

The escalating conflict has drawn international attention, with the UN Security Council scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on the matter. The European Union has also called on Israel to cease its military escalation. Meanwhile, Iran, engaged in stalled negotiations with the United States, has reiterated that a ceasefire in Lebanon remains a critical condition for any broader deal to end their wider conflict.

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In light of the repeated violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon by the terrorist organisation Hezbollah and the attacks on our cities and citizens, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have instructed the IDF to strike terror targets in the Dahiyeh district of Beirut.

Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that "there would be no calm in Beirut" if Hezbollah attacks persisted, vowing to establish a military-controlled zone along the Litani River in southern Lebanon. The conflict escalated on March 2 when Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader by US-Israeli forces. Despite a truce beginning on April 17, it has remained largely unobserved.

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there would be no calm in Beirut if Hezbollah attacks continued, and vowed to establish a military-controlled zone in the area of south Lebanon’s Litani River.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the situation as a "vicious and reprehensible Israeli aggression." Residents from Beirut's southern suburbs were seen fleeing with their belongings, expressing heightened fear and a loss of hope for stability. One resident, Hadi, 24, recounted receiving messages about impending bombings, causing widespread panic and prompting his immediate departure from the area.

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a ceasefire in Lebanon is an essential condition for any deal aimed at ending the war