Israel Strikes Beirut Suburbs Amid Ceasefire Violations, Hezbollah Retaliation Feared

Israel's military has resumed airstrikes on the densely populated suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, violating the official ceasefire that took effect in April. The Israeli army announced it targeted Hezbollah "terrorist headquarters" in retaliation for rocket attacks launched by the militant group into northern Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the strikes, stating they were a direct response to Hezbollah's aggression. The attacks caused significant destruction in the Dahieh suburbs, a known Hezbollah stronghold, with eyewitnesses reporting heavy smoke and damage to multi-story buildings. The Lebanese state news agency NNA reported at least two fatalities and eleven injuries.

These renewed strikes come despite previous assurances from the U.S., which has been mediating efforts between Lebanon and Iran, that Israeli attacks in the Beirut area would cease. The situation raises concerns about a potential escalation of the conflict, particularly as Iran, a key Hezbollah supporter, had previously warned that an attack on Beirut would ignite a wider war.

Analysts suggest that the Hezbollah and Iran are now under pressure to respond. The analyst Ali Risk told Al Jazeera that a return to full-scale war is a risk if Hezbollah retaliates. However, failing to respond could allow such attacks on Beirut's southern suburbs to become the "new norm."

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