Beirut Under Fire: Israeli Strikes Hit Southern Suburbs as Regional War Deepens

By Chisom Adaeze Okafor

Israeli air strikes have hit the southern suburbs of Beirut, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, marking a sharp escalation along one of the most volatile fronts in the widening regional conflict.

The strikes targeted the densely populated neighbourhoods of Ghobeiry and Haret Hreik in the early hours of Thursday. There were no immediate confirmed casualty figures from those specific attacks, though explosions were reported across the capital’s southern districts.

Earlier, the Israel Defense Forces had issued forced displacement warnings, instructing residents to evacuate areas it claimed were linked to Hezbollah operations. The Israeli military alleged that the sites included facilities associated with Hezbollah’s aerial units, though no public evidence was provided.

The air raids came shortly after Israel’s 24-hour ultimatum for Iranian officials to leave Lebanon expired. Tensions have surged amid concerns that diplomatic missions could become targets. Iran’s representatives in Lebanon reportedly warned that any strike on their facilities would trigger reciprocal measures against Israeli diplomatic sites abroad.

Rights group Human Rights Watch described the threats as “deeply concerning,” cautioning that diplomatic premises and civilians not directly involved in hostilities are protected under international law.

Residents in Beirut described chaotic scenes overnight. Local reporters said gunfire echoed through parts of the city as civilians fired into the air , a practice used to alert neighbours of impending strikes after evacuation warnings were issued online during the night.

Beyond Beirut, violence intensified in southern Lebanon. In a village near Kfar Tebnit, two children and their parents were killed in one strike. In the Nabatieh region, a village mayor and his wife were also reported dead. Additional strikes were recorded in Tyre’s al-Shahabiya district.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said its fighters were engaged in direct clashes with Israeli ground forces advancing near the southern town of Dahira. The group also claimed responsibility for cross-border missile, rocket and drone attacks into northern Israel.

The Israeli military confirmed it had expanded its ground operations north of the border, stating its objective is to establish a buffer zone and push Hezbollah forces further away from Israeli territory. Fresh evacuation warnings were issued for residents south of the Litani River, urging them to move north for safety.

Lebanon’s government faces mounting pressure as hostilities deepen. The Lebanese army has reportedly repositioned away from front-line areas, while authorities have taken the rare step of banning Hezbollah’s military wing ,a move analysts say reflects the government’s limited room for manoeuvre amid fears of internal instability.

In northern Lebanon, an air strike reportedly hit the Beddawi refugee camp near Tripoli, far from the main conflict zone. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health said at least two people were killed. Local sources indicated the strike may have targeted a Hamas official, suggesting a possible targeted assassination.

As cross-border exchanges intensify and diplomatic tensions rise, fears are growing that the conflict risks spiralling further ,with civilians once again bearing the heaviest cost.