BEIRUT — In the early hours of Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike targeted a building in the southern suburbs of Beirut, resulting in the deaths of at least four individuals. The Israeli military claimed the operation was aimed at a Hezbollah member.
This attack followed an earlier strike on Friday, marking Israel’s first offensive on the Lebanese capital since a ceasefire concluded hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah in November. Prior to the previous attack, Israel had cautioned residents in the densely populated suburbs after two projectiles were fired from southern Lebanon, for which Hezbollah denied responsibility.
The airstrike on Tuesday left seven others injured, as confirmed by the Lebanese Health Ministry. According to Israel’s military statement, the strike targeted a Hezbollah operative who was allegedly assisting the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza with planning an attack on “Israeli civilians.” The strike was conducted under the guidance of the Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic intelligence service.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty. In a statement, he emphasized the need to thwart any external aggression or internal collusion that may serve as a pretext for such attacks. Since assuming office in January, Aoun vowed to ensure that all arms in Lebanon be controlled by the state, a statement seen as indirectly addressing Hezbollah’s arsenal.
Among the casualties were Hezbollah member Hassan Bdeir and his son, Ali, as per a Hezbollah representative who requested anonymity. The attack also claimed the lives of two neighbors, a brother and sister. Another Hezbollah official refuted Israeli claims that Bdeir was orchestrating an attack, asserting that his engagements involved liaising with Palestinian officials. Bdeir, regarded as a lower-ranking official, had been living ordinarily prior to the strike.
Hezbollah’s senior legislator, Ali Ammar, stated that although the group seeks peace, it is ready to defend itself if conflict is thrust upon them. Ammar reassured during a media briefing at the site, “Hezbollah is fully prepared to deter any assault if war is imposed.”
Images circulating on social media depicted extensive damage to the upper floors of an apartment building, with rubble strewn across cars parked below. Residents reported hearing jets over parts of the city before the strike, which occurred near Hay Madi. During previous conflicts with Hezbollah, Israeli forces frequently targeted southern Beirut suburbs, areas viewed as strongholds for the group.
“We were at home celebrating Eid al-Fitr,” said Hussein Nour El-Din, a local resident referencing the festive period concluding Ramadan. “Amidst the chaos, we realized it was the building right across when the smoke cleared.”
Sheikh Naim Kassem, Hezbollah’s leader, cautioned that continued Israeli aggression towards Lebanon could prompt Hezbollah to consider alternative responses unless the Lebanese government intervenes.
The U.S.-mediated ceasefire, which brought an end to the 14-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, mandated the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese soil and the cessation of Hezbollah’s military presence south of the Litani River near the Israeli border.
Despite this agreement, Israel has persisted with daily strikes in southern and eastern Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah’s personnel and structures. Meanwhile, the Lebanese military has incrementally deployed in the south, with Beirut appealing to the international community to exert pressure on Israel to halt these attacks and withdraw its personnel from five hilltops still occupied within Lebanese borders.