Israeli Air Strike Hits Beirut’s Southern Suburbs
A devastating air strike was carried out by Israel on the southern suburbs of Beirut on Sunday, despite a ceasefire agreement that came into force five months ago. The attack, which targeted a building allegedly used by the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah, has sparked widespread condemnation and raised concerns about the fragility of the truce.
According to reports, Israel ordered an evacuation of the building before carrying out the strike, which it said was being used to store "precision-guided missiles" that posed a threat to the State of Israel and its civilians. The Israeli military confirmed that the strike was a targeted attack, stating that the storage of missiles in the infrastructure site constituted a "blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon".
The Lebanese presidency has strongly condemned the strike, calling on the US and France – who brokered the ceasefire in November – to press Israel to cease its attacks on the country. In a statement, the Lebanese Presidency said that President Joseph Aoun had condemned the attack, adding that "the United States and France, as guarantors of the cessation of hostilities agreement, must assume their responsibilities and compel Israel to immediately cease its attacks."
The attack marks the first time in almost a month that Israel has struck Beirut’s southern suburbs – called Dahieh – where Hezbollah is based. This latest incident will put further pressure on the ceasefire, which has been largely holding despite daily Israeli strikes on targets it claims are linked to Hezbollah. Western officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, have told the BBC that the militant group has been largely compliant with the truce, while accusing Israel of multiple violations that include air strikes and drone surveillance.
Eyewitnesses reported a giant plume of smoke billowing from the targeted building an hour after the Israeli army issued an evacuation order to residents of the Hadath neighbourhood. Lebanon’s Civil Defence later confirmed that no casualties had been recorded and rescue crews had extinguished the fire. The BBC has been told that the strike generated panic and fear of renewed violence among those desperate for a return to normalcy.
In response to the strike, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, urged all sides to halt any actions that could further undermine the cessation of hostilities understanding. "We urge all sides to halt any actions that could further undermine the cessation of hostilities understanding," she added. The Israeli government has maintained that it will not allow Hezbollah to grow stronger, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stating that "the Dahiyeh neighbourhood in Beirut will not serve as a safe haven for the terrorist organisation Hezbollah".
The incident has raised concerns about the stability of the region, with many calling for an immediate ceasefire. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the fragile peace in the region is under threat, and it remains to be seen whether the ceasefire will hold. The BBC will continue to bring you updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.
In a recent incident, an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs killed four people, including a Hezbollah official. The BBC has been monitoring the situation closely and will provide further updates as the situation develops.
The incident has sparked widespread international concern, with many nations calling for restraint and an immediate end to hostilities. As tensions continue to rise, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. One thing is certain, however: the people of Lebanon deserve peace and stability, and it is up to all parties involved to work towards achieving this goal.
The Israeli military’s actions have been justified as a necessary measure to protect the State of Israel and its civilians from perceived threats from Hezbollah. However, the Lebanese government and many international observers have called for an end to the Israeli strikes, citing concerns about civilian casualties and the destabilisation of the region.
Sources:
BBC
