Israel Bombs Southern Suburbs of Beirut, Killing One and Wounding Dozens

Israeli forces launched an air strike on Sunday targeting Lebanon’s southern suburbs of Beirut, hitting what Israel described as a Hezbollah operative in the densely populated Dahiyeh district. This strike was the first Israeli attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs since early June and marked a significant escalation amid ongoing tensions in the region. The attack killed one person and left at least 21 others wounded according to Lebanon’s health ministry.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized the operation, which targeted Hezbollah's chief of staff, said to be responsible for coordinating the militant group’s military buildup and rearmament. The Israeli military claims the strike was aimed at halting Hezbollah's efforts to restore its forces in Lebanon following a ceasefire signed a year ago between Israel and the Iran-backed group. Netanyahu stated Israel is determined to act to achieve its objectives at all times and everywhere.

The air strike hit a residential building on the third and fourth floors in the Haret Hreik neighborhood, causing substantial structural damage and scattering debris across the street. Ambulances rushed to the scene, and rescuers worked to evacuate people trapped or injured. Several vehicles and nearby buildings were also damaged. The Lebanese National News Agency reported three missiles were fired during the strike.

This attack follows a pattern of near-daily Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon since a ceasefire took effect in November 2024, which aimed to end more than a year of hostilities involving Hezbollah’s support for Hamas in the 2023 Gaza conflict. Israeli strikes have recently intensified, targeting multiple locations in southern Lebanon and occasionally reaching Beirut’s outskirts. The southern town of Aita al-Shaab witnessed a deadly strike days earlier, which killed one person.

Hezbollah has not commented publicly on the latest attack. The militant group remains a powerful force in Lebanon, continuing to reject calls for disarmament under pressure from Israel and the United States. The Lebanese government approved a military plan in September to disarm Hezbollah nationwide by the end of the year, but implementation remains uncertain amid lingering political and security challenges.

The strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs comes amid heightened diplomatic activity, with Pope Leo XIV planning a visit to Lebanon. Observers warn the cycle of violence risks destabilizing Lebanon further, already burdened by political turmoil and economic crisis.

Israel’s actions reflect ongoing concerns about Hezbollah’s potential to regroup and expand its military capabilities in Lebanon, a prospect Israel views as a direct threat to its security. The situation remains highly volatile with international observers calling for renewed efforts to prevent escalation and preserve stability in the fragile region.