Israeli warplanes hit Beirut's southern suburbs Sunday in response to Hezbollah rocket fire aimed at northern Israel, according to Israeli officials. The strike targeted what Israel described as a Hezbollah command center in Dahieh, a stronghold of the militant group, killing at least two people and wounding roughly a dozen more, Lebanese state media reported.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation answered missile attacks fired earlier that day, which Israeli air defenses intercepted. But the retaliation risks igniting a broader conflict. Iran's parliament member Ebrahim Rezaei publicly vowed retaliation on social media, telling followers to "watch the skies" over Israel and pledging a "decisive and painful response to the Zionist regime's attack on Dahieh."
Israeli officials told the Trump administration before executing the strike that Hezbollah's ongoing attacks violate terms of a ceasefire agreement. They signaled the pattern would continue: any future Hezbollah strikes on northern Israel would be met with new Beirut operations.
The escalation threatens to derail ongoing U.S. efforts with Iran. Last week, Tehran warned it would launch missiles at Israel if strikes targeted Beirut, and a successful Iranian attack could upend delicate negotiations and restart broader regional fighting.
The ceasefire framework itself remains fragile. Israel and Lebanon formally agreed to a full halt to hostilities on Wednesday, contingent on Hezbollah withdrawing operatives south of the Litani River and halting attacks. Hezbollah rejected those terms Thursday, rendering the agreement inoperative. President Trump had previously intervened to block planned Israeli strikes on Beirut, demanding a partial ceasefire that would allow Israel to attack only if Hezbollah broke the terms.
The State Department and White House did not comment on the latest Israeli operation.
Author James Rodriguez: "This is exactly how these situations spiral, and Trump's attempt to freeze the situation clearly isn't holding the line."
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