The Israeli military began attacks on Lebanon, including Beirut, after Hezbollah fired rockets and drones into Israel, claiming retaliation for the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader. Meanwhile, Lebanon's Prime Minister condemned the "irresponsible" actions, fearing the country could be drawn into a full-scale war.
In the early hours of 2 Mar 2025 GMT+7, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the start of operations targeting Hezbollah sites across Lebanon, including Beirut. AFP reporters on the ground heard multiple loud explosions throughout the city. This operation followed Hezbollah's rocket and drone attacks on Israeli territory, marking the first violation of a ceasefire agreement made in November 2024.
Israel stated it conducted precise strikes against senior Hezbollah members’ locations in Beirut and southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attacks on Israel, stating they were acts of revenge for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, who died in Tehran from a joint U.S. and Israeli attack over the past weekend.
Previously, senior Hezbollah officials said that if Iran faced limited attacks, the group might not intervene, but the killing of the Supreme Leader was a "red line" they could not accept. Additionally, Hezbollah claimed their strikes aimed to protect Lebanese citizens from repeated Israeli incursions.
The Israeli military spokesperson issued warnings via X, urging residents of over 50 towns and villages in southern and eastern Lebanon—Hezbollah strongholds—to evacuate immediately to open areas at least 1,000 meters away from their homes for safety.
Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported a "mass evacuation" in the southern suburbs of Beirut and southern regions. Local media images showed severe traffic congestion as many residents tried to flee the danger zones by car.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Salam condemned Hezbollah's actions as "irresponsible," stating that the rocket attacks on Israel provided Israel with a pretext to continue attacking Lebanon and risked national security.
Prime Minister Salam pledged to apprehend those responsible and protect Lebanese citizens, calling an emergency meeting today to discuss measures to handle the deteriorating situation, after the government previously tried hard to avoid dragging the country into a regional war.
Currently, Israel confirms that most Hezbollah missiles fell in open areas, with no reported injuries or deaths on the Israeli side so far. The Israeli military reiterated that Hezbollah alone is responsible for escalating the violence.
This conflict escalated after U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, leading to retaliatory rocket and drone strikes from Iran against Gulf countries hosting U.S. military bases.
. . .AFP