Israeli military aircraft struck the southern suburbs of Beirut and multiple locations across southern Lebanon on Monday. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the operations, stating that the strikes were directed at infrastructure and personnel belonging to the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
Lebanese authorities reported a broad wave of attacks throughout the southern region of the country. While the IDF maintains that these actions are necessary to degrade Hezbollah’s military capabilities, the strikes have intensified anxieties across the region.
Escalating regional tensions
The strikes in Beirut follow a day of heightened military activity across the Middle East. Earlier on Monday, reports indicated that Israeli forces conducted separate operations that resulted in the death of an Iranian Revolutionary Guard intelligence chief.
These military maneuvers coincide with a period of severe diplomatic friction. U.S. President Donald Trump has issued public threats regarding Iran's control over the Hormuz Strait, warning of severe consequences should the waterway remain blocked.
In addition to the strikes on Lebanon, casualties were reported in the Israeli port city of Haifa following a separate exchange of fire. Local officials in Lebanon confirmed that at least 15 people were killed in earlier Israeli strikes throughout the day.
As of Monday evening, the Israeli government has provided few details on the specific targets hit in the capital. Hezbollah has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the extent of the damage or the number of casualties sustained in the Beirut suburbs.
