Tensions between Israel and Lebanon have escalated once again, as Israeli forces launched airstrikes on Beirut for the first time since the fragile ceasefire agreement was brokered in November 2024.
The strikes come in response to recent rocket attacks launched from southern Lebanon, marking a dangerous escalation in the volatile region.
According to Al Jazeera, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the airstrikes on areas in and around Beirut early Thursday morning.
In a statement, the IDF claimed the operation was “targeting infrastructure used by terrorist organizations” in retaliation for a barrage of rockets fired into northern Israel earlier this week.
The IDF accused Hezbollah of orchestrating the attacks, although the militant group has yet to officially claim responsibility.
The New York Times reports that the rocket attacks earlier in the week injured two Israeli civilians and caused widespread panic in the border towns of northern Israel.
This prompted calls from Israeli officials for a swift and decisive response, culminating in the airstrikes on Beirut and additional targets in southern Lebanon.
The Lebanese government condemned the airstrikes, labeling them a violation of the country’s sovereignty. Prime Minister Najib Mikati, quoted by Reuters, described the Israeli assault as “an unjustified act of aggression that threatens regional stability.”
Mikati called on the United Nations to intervene to prevent further escalation and reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to the ceasefire agreement, despite the recent violence.
Local residents in Beirut reported significant damage to infrastructure in the southern suburbs of the city, an area often associated with Hezbollah activity.
The Guardian cited eyewitness accounts of explosions in the early hours of the morning, followed by a heavy presence of emergency services attempting to contain the destruction. No casualties have been confirmed at the time of reporting, but assessments are ongoing.
The renewed hostilities have drawn international concern. A spokesperson for the United Nations, cited by BBC News, urged both parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could lead to a broader conflict.
“The ceasefire agreement of November 2024 was a pivotal step toward stability in the region. Both sides must work to uphold it and resolve disputes through diplomatic channels,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the United States has voiced support for Israel’s right to self-defense but called for de-escalation.
A State Department representative told CNN that while Washington recognizes the severity of the rocket attacks, it is “imperative to prevent a wider conflict that could have devastating consequences for the entire region.”
The November 2024 ceasefire was negotiated after a month-long period of intense fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, resulting in hundreds of casualties on both sides and significant damage to Lebanese infrastructure.
Brokered with the assistance of the United Nations and Qatar, the agreement was seen as a crucial step in reducing tensions in a region plagued by decades of cyclical violence.
However, as Haaretz notes, the ceasefire has been tested repeatedly in recent months, with sporadic clashes along the Israel-Lebanon border and increased military activity in the area.
Thursday’s airstrikes mark the most significant breach of the ceasefire to date, raising fears of a potential return to open conflict.
