Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Thursday in the southern outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, targeting alleged underground drone production facilities operated by Hezbollah. The strikes marked one of the heaviest on the area since a US-brokered cease-fire took effect in November.
The Israeli military accused Hezbollah of violating the cease-fire agreement by constructing drone production sites in civilian areas. The agreement, brokered by the Biden administration, called for Hezbollah’s disarmament and Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
However, implementation of the deal has been stalled, with both Israel and Lebanon accusing each other of failure to comply. In response to the airstrikes, the Lebanese military attempted to inspect the targeted buildings but was rejected by the Israeli military.
The strikes came on the eve of Eid al-Adha, a major religious holiday, while residents were shopping and preparing for festivities. The area saw intense traffic congestion as people tried to flee, with some sheltering in nearby parks or on the Mediterranean seafront.
Analysts say Hezbollah has little motivation to respond to Israel’s repeated strikes since November, following nearly a year of low-level conflict between the two groups. Lebanon’s government has pledged to disarm non-state armed groups, including Hezbollah, but details remain unclear.
Since the cease-fire began, around 200 people in Lebanon have been killed in Israeli attacks, according to the Lebanese government. The situation remains tense, with both sides accusing each other of violating the agreement.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/05/world/europe/israel-hezbollah-beirut-airstrikes.html