In a sharp escalation of regional tensions, Israel launched air strikes on Beirut and Gaza on Saturday after rockets were fired into northern Israel, allegedly by Hezbollah. The Israeli military stated that it targeted Hezbollah arms facilities in southern Beirut, marking some of the heaviest strikes on the Lebanese capital in recent years.
The situation intensified when a drone was reportedly launched towards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s holiday home. Although Netanyahu was not present at the time and it remains unclear if the building was hit, he condemned the act as an assassination attempt by Hezbollah, calling it a “grave mistake.” He warned of significant retaliation, particularly in light of an Iranian missile barrage earlier this month.
Hezbollah has not issued any immediate comment regarding the alleged drone attack. However, the group has been actively exchanging fire with Israel since the conflict between Israel and Hamas reignited in Gaza last October. On Saturday alone, the Israeli military reported that Hezbollah launched approximately 200 projectiles.
Israeli forces responded by targeting several sites in Beirut’s southern suburbs, leaving thick plumes of smoke over the city into the evening. The military claimed to have destroyed tunnel shafts and underground infrastructure in southern Lebanon, aiming at “a number of Hezbollah weapons storage facilities and a Hezbollah intelligence headquarters command center.”
Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israeli bombardments continued to intensify. Medics and Hamas media outlets reported that at least 73 people were killed across the coastal enclave as Israel’s offensive, aimed at rooting out the Palestinian militant group, entered its second year. The siege around three hospitals tightened, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The offensive has displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, caused widespread hunger, and destroyed hospitals and schools.
The death toll from Israeli air strikes on Lebanon since the beginning of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict has reportedly reached 2,448, with injuries numbering up to 11,471. The international community has expressed concern over the escalating violence and the potential for a broader regional conflict.
As tensions rise, calls for de-escalation have been mounting. The unfolding events have significant implications for the stability of the region, and all eyes are on how both sides will navigate the path forward.
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Israel pounds Beirut and Gaza after rockets hit Israel's north
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