Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes late Thursday on the southern suburbs of Beirut, targeting what the Israeli military claimed were underground drone manufacturing sites operated by Hezbollah. The bombardment, which took place just hours before the Muslim holiday of Eid Al-Adha, sent thousands fleeing and drew sharp condemnation from top Lebanese officials.
According to Reuters, the strikes hit Dahiyeh, a densely populated area and a known Hezbollah stronghold, with at least 10 airstrikes reported. The bombing campaign began roughly 90 minutes after the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings for four locations in the district.
Thick plumes of smoke rose over the capital as explosions rocked the city until midnight. The strikes caused panic and heavy traffic as residents attempted to escape, many on foot. Others were forced to spend the night on the streets or with relatives outside the blast zone.
Smoke rises, following an Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs, after the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning for the area, as seen from Baabda, Lebanon, June 5, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
“This was a blatant violation of international agreements,” said Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in a joint statement, condemning the attacks. The Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon echoed the concern, warning the strikes had “generated renewed panic and fear on the eve of Eid Al-Adha.”
Ceasefire Fractures
Thursday night’s assault marks the fourth time Israel has bombed Dahiyeh since a U.S.-brokered truce was established in November. That ceasefire ended a year-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and mandated that all non-state militant groups, including Hezbollah, disarm and withdraw military infrastructure from southern Lebanon.
Despite the agreement, tensions have remained high. Both Israel and Hezbollah accuse each other of violating the truce’s terms. Israel still maintains military positions in southern Lebanon and has previously targeted Beirut suburbs in response to rocket attacks, which Hezbollah has denied involvement in.
People walk on the rubble of damaged buildings as a man cuts steel in Beirut’s southern suburbs, on the second day of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanon November 28, 2024. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Alleged Drone Sites Targeted
The Israeli military claimed it struck “underground UAV production infrastructure sites that were deliberately established in the heart of civilian population” and alleged that Hezbollah was producing thousands of drones there with Iranian backing.
There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah, which has in the past denied storing weapons or military equipment in civilian areas.
A Lebanese security source told Reuters that the Lebanese army had received a warning earlier in the day about suspected military equipment at one of the targeted sites. After investigating, the army found no evidence to support the claim. A second attempt to re-enter the area was blocked by Israeli “warning strikes,” the source said.
In addition to Dahiyeh, Israeli strikes were reported in the southern village of Ain Qana shortly after evacuation warnings were issued there as well.
The recent strikes come amid increasing volatility in the region. The current Israel-Hezbollah conflict began in October 2023, when Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli military sites in support of Hamas during the Gaza conflict. Israel responded with a wide-ranging aerial campaign that has killed thousands of Hezbollah fighters and, according to Israeli sources, eliminated much of the group’s military leadership, including its secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah.
