Israel Strikes Beirut's Suburbs in Major Air Offensive Against Hezbollah

In a significant development, Israel unleashed a series of airstrikes in southern Beirut on Thursday, directly focusing on what it identified as underground drone production sites tied to the militant group Hezbollah. This assault represents one of the most extensive military operations in the region since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire was established last November, which had previously halted the worst conflict Lebanon has faced in years.

The Israeli military has claimed that Hezbollah strategically built these drone sites within civilian populations, thus violating the terms of the ceasefire agreement that was meant to ensure peace in the border areas. This deal, facilitated by the Biden administration, had mandated that Hezbollah disarm while allowing for an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, a part of the country that has long been a stronghold for the militant group.

However, both nations have accused one another of not fully adhering to the stipulations of the ceasefire. Before carrying out the airstrikes, the Israeli military issued warnings for the evacuation of residents in three specific neighborhoods in Dahiya, known for its dense population and Hezbollah's significant presence. In an effort to mitigate the conflict, the Lebanese army sought to inspect the buildings highlighted by Israel and reached out to the U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring committee to address the situation, as disclosed by a senior Lebanese security official who chose to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the military discussions.