Quick Read
- Israel launched strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs targeting Hezbollah drone facilities.
- The strikes followed evacuation warnings issued by the Israeli military.
- Tensions rise amid alleged violations of the 2024 ceasefire agreement.
Late on Thursday, June 5, 2025, Israeli airstrikes targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs, focusing on sites allegedly used by Hezbollah for drone production. The strikes, concentrated in the Dahiyeh district, were accompanied by evacuation warnings that sparked panic among residents. This escalation comes on the eve of Eid al-Adha, a significant Muslim holiday, amplifying the tension in the region.
Why did Israel target Beirut’s southern suburbs?
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the strikes were aimed at “terror targets of the Hezbollah Aerial Unit (127),” specifically underground facilities used for producing drones. According to an IDF statement cited by CNN, Hezbollah has been expanding its drone production capabilities, allegedly under Iranian guidance, to prepare for future conflicts. The operation targeted buildings in the neighborhoods of Al-Hadath, Haret Hreik, and Burj Al-Barajneh, areas considered strongholds of Hezbollah.
The decision to strike these sites follows a pattern of Israeli actions since the November 2024 ceasefire, which ended a devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli strikes have continued, particularly in southern and eastern Lebanon, as reported by The Associated Press. Israeli officials argue that these operations are necessary to prevent Hezbollah from regrouping and rearming.
How did the strikes unfold?
In the hours leading up to the strikes, the IDF issued evacuation orders through social media, urging residents to leave buildings marked as targets. Maps and satellite images were shared, identifying specific zones in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The warnings were explicit, advising residents to maintain a distance of at least 300 to 500 meters from the identified sites.
As reported by Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA), these warnings triggered widespread panic, with videos circulating on social media showing traffic congestion as residents fled. Shortly after, Israeli drones carried out a series of strikes, numbering more than seven, according to Edition. Large plumes of smoke were seen rising from the affected areas, marking the first such attack on Beirut’s outskirts in over a month.
What is the broader context of these strikes?
The strikes occur against a backdrop of heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. The November 2024 ceasefire, brokered by the United States and France, required Hezbollah to retreat north of the Litani River, while Israel agreed to cease hostilities. However, as noted by Al-Monitor, violations of the agreement have been frequent, with Israel conducting near-daily strikes and maintaining positions in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah, for its part, has faced increasing domestic and international pressure to disarm. However, its leadership has consistently argued that disarmament is contingent on Israel ceasing its airstrikes and withdrawing from disputed border territories. Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun, have condemned the strikes as a “blatant violation of an international agreement” and a provocation that undermines regional stability.
How has the region responded?
The timing of the strikes, on the eve of Eid al-Adha, has drawn particular ire from Lebanese leaders and the broader Muslim community. In a statement, President Aoun described the attacks as a deliberate affront to efforts for peace and stability. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam echoed these sentiments at a recent Arab summit, accusing Israel of daily violations of Lebanese sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah has denied that the targeted sites were involved in drone production. A spokesperson for the group told The Associated Press that the allegations were baseless and that Israel’s actions were an attempt to escalate the situation further. Lebanese military officials reportedly attempted to mediate, proposing to inspect the sites in question under the ceasefire’s mechanisms. However, their requests were ignored, leading to the withdrawal of Lebanese soldiers from the area.
The strikes have also reignited fears of a broader conflict. The November 2024 war resulted in over 4,000 casualties in Lebanon, including hundreds of civilians. Since then, Israeli strikes have killed at least 190 more people and injured hundreds, according to Lebanese government data cited by CNN.
What’s next for the region?
The ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah underscore the fragility of the ceasefire agreement. Both sides accuse the other of violations, creating a cycle of retaliation that threatens to escalate into a full-scale conflict. The international community, particularly the United States and France, faces mounting pressure to intervene and enforce the terms of the ceasefire.
As Lebanon grapples with political instability and an economic crisis, the renewed violence further complicates its path toward recovery. For now, the people of Beirut’s southern suburbs are left to navigate the immediate aftermath of the strikes, seeking safety and stability in an increasingly volatile landscape.
The latest Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs highlight the persistent tensions and unresolved disputes between Israel and Hezbollah. As both sides brace for potential escalations, the region’s future remains uncertain, leaving residents caught in the crossfire of geopolitical conflict.