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Airstrikes in Beirut area
Israeli airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs and other southern Lebanese areas killed at least 31 people and wounded about 149, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry and multiple media reports.
“The strikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs and south Lebanon — areas under Hezbollah’s influence — killing 20 in the southern suburbs and 11 in the south, and wounding at least 149, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.”
The strikes hit densely populated Beirut suburbs and parts of southern Lebanon, damaged buildings and sparked mass evacuations.
Initial tolls and damage reports were provided by Lebanese authorities and reported across outlets.
Hezbollah–Israel exchanges
The exchanges followed a cross‑border attack by Hezbollah — its first claimed strike since the November 2024 ceasefire.
Hezbollah said it fired rockets and drones at Israeli military targets and framed the move as retaliation tied to the reported killing of Iran’s supreme leader.
Outlets report Hezbollah described the action as revenge for the incident involving Iran’s leadership, while Israel said the group had fired projectiles toward northern Israel.
Hezbollah strikes and evacuations
Israel described its raids as targeted strikes on Hezbollah positions, including senior figures, and warned it could intensify operations.
“The Israel Defense Forces said it was striking Hezbollah targets “in response to projectile fire toward northern Israel,” accused Hezbollah of acting “on behalf of the Iranian regime,” and said troops were preparing for an “all‑fronts scenario” under Operation ‘Roaring Lion.’”
The Israeli military said it was striking Hezbollah targets "in response to projectile fire toward northern Israel".
It ordered evacuations for dozens of border towns, prompting large-scale displacement and the opening of schools as shelters.
Journalists and local reports described explosions, collapsing buildings and thousands fleeing streets and highways.
Responses to rocket attacks
Lebanese political leaders and institutions reacted with alarm and took measures to limit Hezbollah's autonomy.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the rocket attacks as 'irresponsible and suspicious'.
Lebanon's government moved to ban military and security activities by Hezbollah.
The presidency told the US ambassador that Israel had committed not to escalate provided there were no hostile acts from the Lebanese side.
Israel's northern command and senior commanders vowed a heavy response.
They warned Hezbollah it would 'pay a heavy price'.
Lebanon strikes and escalation
Observers and regional outlets situate the Lebanon strikes within a far broader escalation between Israel, the US and Iran and their proxies.
“The U.S. and Israel struck more than 2,000 targets over two days.”
International reporting said the US and Israel carried out intensive strikes inside Iran and that multiple fronts erupted across the region.
Analysts warned the Lebanon front risks drawing in more actors and worsening humanitarian and economic impacts, and independent tallies and casualty figures remain contested amid communications blackouts and the fast-moving nature of the campaign.