Israel launched intense airstrikes on Hezbollah-controlled areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Monday, March 2, after the Iran-backed group fired missiles and drones at Israel. Hezbollah said the attack was in retaliation for Israel’s killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Witnesses reported more than a dozen explosions across Beirut, marking the heaviest bombardment of the southern suburbs since the 2024 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanese security officials said multiple locations in Dahiyeh were targeted.

The Israeli military announced it had begun striking Hezbollah positions throughout Lebanon, blaming the group for initiating the escalation. Israel’s Chief of the General Staff, Eyal Zamir, stated that Hezbollah had started a campaign against Israel overnight and would bear full responsibility for the consequences. The missiles and drones launched by Hezbollah were the first since US and Israeli attacks on Iran began. In addition to Beirut’s southern suburbs, Israel reportedly carried out airstrikes in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley.

Hezbollah, a Shiite Muslim organization and one of Iran’s key regional allies, said its assault was a response to Israel’s killing of Khamenei and what it described as ongoing Israeli violations in Lebanon. In a statement, the group said continued Israeli attacks and targeted killings justified its right to defend itself and respond when and where it deemed appropriate.

The Israeli military said it would act against Hezbollah’s decision to join the broader conflict and would not allow the group to pose a threat to Israel. In 2024, Israel and Lebanon reached a US-mediated ceasefire that ended over a year of conflict, during which Israeli strikes significantly weakened Hezbollah. Since then, both sides have accused each other of breaching the agreement. Lebanon’s presidency said on Saturday that the US ambassador had assured them Israel would not escalate tensions as long as Lebanon refrained from hostile actions.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.