Israeli Strike Hits Beirut as Tensions Escalate Despite Ceasefire

Israel has carried out a strike on the Lebanese capital, Beirut, marking only the second attack on the city since a ceasefire came into effect last month.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the operation, launched at about 14:00 local time (11:00 GMT), was conducted in a “targeted manner”, though officials did not immediately release further details about the intended target.

Israeli media, citing unnamed security sources, reported that the strike was aimed at Ali al-Husni, described as the head of the missile force in the Imam Hossein Division, an Iranian-backed militia aligned with Hezbollah.

The strike hit Dahieh, the densely populated southern suburb of Beirut regarded as Hezbollah’s main stronghold in the capital. Thick smoke rose above residential buildings following the explosion, while residents were heard calling out for relatives and neighbours as emergency crews rushed into the area.

The latest escalation comes despite efforts to maintain a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating the agreement through cross-border attacks and military operations.

According to reports, Israel had previously avoided striking Beirut after a request from Donald Trump. However, the latest attack followed waves of Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

The renewed military activity also comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced an expansion of ground operations following Hezbollah drone attacks on Israeli troops stationed in southern Lebanon and civilians in northern Israel.

On Wednesday, the IDF warned Lebanese residents to move north of the Zahrani River, approximately 40km from the Israeli border, saying Israeli forces would operate “with extreme force” in affected areas.

Lebanon’s health ministry said at least 11 people were killed in two separate Israeli strikes that targeted the city of Tyre and nearby eastern areas early on Thursday.

Videos shared on social media from Tyre showed streets illuminated by flames, smoke covering roads, and several vehicles damaged or burning. In daylight footage, a large fireball could be seen erupting near high-rise residential buildings, sending a mushroom-shaped plume of smoke into the sky as debris scattered through nearby streets.

The latest developments underline the continuing instability along the Israel-Lebanon border, with growing concerns that repeated exchanges of fire could trigger a wider regional confrontation involving Iran-backed armed groups and Israeli forces.