Israel struck Beirut's southern suburbs and the Hazmieh district, saying it targeted an IRGC Quds Force operative and captured two Hezbollah Radwan commandos during a weapons search. Live footage showed smoke over the capital while Lebanon reported strikes across the south and at least one death in Hazmieh. UNIFIL said its Naqura headquarters was hit and evacuation orders were issued near Tyre as Israeli strikes also damaged bridges and other infrastructure. Israeli leaders warned the campaign will continue.
Israel Strikes South Beirut and Hazmieh, Says It Captured Two Hezbollah Commandos
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs (ibrahim AMRO)(ibrahim AMRO/AFP/AFP)
Israeli forces launched strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut and the upscale Hazmieh district on Monday into early Tuesday, and said they captured two members of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon during a weapons search.
Strikes and Captures
Live footage showed clouds of smoke over Beirut's southern suburbs, while Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported multiple strikes across the area and residents heard low-flying Israeli warplanes. The Israeli military said it had warned residents to evacuate the southern suburbs before targeting what it described as "Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut."
In southern Lebanon, the army said troops discovered several armed members of Hezbollah's Radwan commando unit who were allegedly preparing to fire an anti-tank missile. According to the Israeli statement, the fighters surrendered, were detained and transferred into Israeli territory for questioning. The military confirmed to AFP that two Hezbollah members were captured.
Hazmieh Strike And Civilian Impact
An earlier strike hit Hazmieh, an upscale, predominantly Christian suburb that overlooks Beirut and lies near the presidential palace. Lebanon's health ministry reported at least one death in that attack. Israel said it had struck what it called an IRGC Quds Force operative in Beirut. Jean Asmar, the local mayor, told journalists the strike hit a room inside an apartment rented by a displaced family and said the municipality was reviewing its arrangements for hosting people uprooted by the conflict.
Broader Fighting And Infrastructure Damage
Hezbollah said it launched more than 50 attacks targeting Israeli troops and positions in northern Israel and southern Lebanon, including actions near the border coastal town of Naqura. The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said its Naqura headquarters had been struck by a projectile, which the mission judged was probably fired by a "non-state actor." Lebanese media also reported additional strikes elsewhere in the south.
Israeli forces have also targeted transport links in southern Lebanon, striking a bridge that connects areas of the south to the Bekaa Valley and, earlier, a major bridge in the Tyre region. Defence Minister Israel Katz said he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to "destroy all the bridges over the Litani River that are used for terrorist activity."
Political Statements And Casualties
Israeli army Arabic-language spokesperson Ella Waweya said, "the battle against Hezbollah... has only just begun." In a video statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would "continue to strike both in Iran and in Lebanon." Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told the Al Hadath network that Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps was "unfortunately... managing the military operation in Lebanon," a claim Israel and Iran dispute.
Since the escalation in early March, Lebanon has been drawn deeper into the wider regional conflict. Lebanese authorities say more than 1,039 people have been killed in Lebanon amid Israeli strikes and ground operations.
Note: Casualty and damage figures are reported by Lebanese authorities and international agencies and are evolving as the situation develops.
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