The Israeli military has recently announced its airstrike on a building in southern Beirut, alleging it was used to store precision missiles belonging to Hezbollah. This operation raises critical questions about the stability of the already fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
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Notably, a substantial plume of smoke was visible from the site shortly after the Israeli Defense Forces issued an evacuation order to residents in the Hadath neighborhood. Live footage from Reuters captures the aftermath, emphasizing the tension in the area.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz remarked, “Hezbollah’s precision missiles pose a significant threat to the State of Israel.” This highlights the ongoing security concerns that propel such military actions.
Lebanese rescue teams were seen cordoning off the area as they worked to extinguish the blaze ignited by the attack, further complicating the humanitarian challenges in the region.
This latest strike exacerbates the strains on the U.S.-brokered ceasefire that brought an end to last year’s conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, stated, “Today’s strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut generated panic and fear of renewed violence among those desperate for a return to normalcy.” She emphasized the importance of restraint, urging all parties to refrain from actions that could undermine the ongoing cessation of hostilities. This is part of her broader appeal for compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which resolved the 2006 war between the two factions.
In response to this situation, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called upon the United States and France, the guarantors of the ceasefire, to pressure Israel into ceasing its attacks. He stated, “Israel’s continued actions in undermining stability will exacerbate tensions and place the region at real risk, threatening its security and stability.”
Earlier this month, an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including a Hezbollah official. This was the second Israeli strike in the Lebanese capital within five days, indicating a troubling resurgence of hostilities.
The timing of these attacks coincides with a broader escalation in the region, marked by Israel’s renewed military actions in Gaza, breaking a two-month truce, alongside U.S. operations targeting the Houthis of Yemen in response to their threats against shipping in the Red Sea.
Historically, Israel has dealt substantial blows to Hezbollah, eliminating thousands of its fighters and much of its arsenal, as well as significant leadership figures, including Hassan Nasrallah. Nevertheless, Hezbollah has denied involvement in the recent rocket attacks launched from Lebanon towards Israel.
In a related development, the IDF claimed to have killed a Hezbollah militant in a targeted strike in Halta, southern Lebanon. The military reported, “Earlier today, the IDF struck in the area of Halta in southern Lebanon and eliminated a Hezbollah terrorist who advanced Hezbollah’s attempts to re-establish itself in the Halta area.”
In another concerning incident, the Israeli military intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, which the Houthis claimed was aimed at an air base in southern Israel. “The missile that was launched from Yemen was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory,” the military reported. Yemen’s Houthis further proclaimed they had launched a “hypersonic missile” at the Nevatim air base.
Additionally, the IDF reported intercepting a drone that approached Israeli territory, though the origin of the drone launch went unspecified. The Houthis, aligned with Iran’s “axis of resistance” against Israel and the United States, have vowed their strikes in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid escalating tensions.
The ongoing missile and drone assaults from Houthis targeting both Israel and shipping lanes in the Red Sea have prompted retaliatory airstrikes from Israel, Britain, and the United States. The U.S. air campaign has intensified markedly since the start of President Trump’s term, with almost daily strikes reported in recent weeks. According to Israel’s army radio, the Houthis have launched over 20 missiles at Israel since resuming their attacks following Israel’s military actions in Gaza on March 18, effectively ending a two-month truce.
In these complex and dangerous times, the call for de-escalation becomes ever more critical to prevent further conflict and restore stability.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
