Key facts
- Israel launched air strikes across southern Lebanon and Beirut, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure.
- The attacks followed a significant rocket barrage by Hezbollah into northern Israel.
- Lebanese authorities report hundreds killed and hundreds of thousands displaced by Israeli attacks.
- The conflict has intensified following the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
- Israel has expanded evacuation orders for southern Lebanon.
Israeli warplanes conducted multiple air strikes across southern Lebanon and the capital Beirut, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. The intensified attacks follow a significant rocket barrage by Hezbollah into northern Israel.
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes carried out two strikes on the Ali al-Taher ridge in Nabatieh province, with further attacks near Deir Siryan, Doha Kafr Rumman, and al-Mansouri. The agency also reported strikes on Tyre and Sidon, with residents urged to evacuate.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated since the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28. Israeli forces have increased their presence along the border and within Lebanese territory, with Hezbollah claiming to have repelled advances.
Israeli jets attacked Qabrikha, Deir Siryan, and Taybeh, while the military claimed air strikes targeted a Hezbollah headquarters near Ansariyeh. Drone strikes and bombings were reported in Barashit, Adchit, Breqaa, and Harouf.
Beirut's southern suburbs, Dahiyeh, were hit after an evacuation warning, with the Israeli military stating it was striking Hezbollah infrastructure. Urgent evacuation warnings were also issued for several southern Lebanese towns.
Overnight attacks targeted towns in the Bekaa Valley and near Bint Jbeil and Ainatha, where four people were killed. A Maronite Catholic priest, Pierre al-Rahi, was killed by Israeli tank fire in Qlayaa.
Hezbollah launched approximately 200 rockets into northern Israel, prompting Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz to prepare for broader operations. The military expanded evacuation orders for southern Lebanon, covering almost the entire area south of the Zahrani river.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated that Lebanon is in a war it did not want. Lebanese authorities report at least 687 people, including 98 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks since the escalation, with 800,000 others displaced. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed in combat in Lebanon. The IDF also targeted a Hezbollah facility in Beirut's Bachoura neighbourhood.