Beirut/Tel Aviv, Mar 2 (.) Post the Hezbollah’s rocket strikes against Israel as “revenge for the blood” of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei, the Jewish country launched strikes on Beirut against the Lebanon-based Islamist militia, and claimed to have hit pivotal Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut.
Israel also claimed it has damaged Hezbollah infrastructure in the country’s southern part. The IDF troops also struck a vehicle carrying two operatives from the militant group’s elite Radwan Force in the Kfar Dajjal area.
Israel said it has targeted “senior” members of Hezbollah. IDF chief Lt Gen Eyal Zamir said “We prepared for a multi-front scenario and for an offensive campaign against Hezbollah. Any enemy that threatens our security will pay a heavy price; we will not allow harm to the residents of the State of Israel or to the northern border.”
Warning of additional strikes, the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings to civilians in dozens of Lebanese villages, where the militia is believed to be stationed.
After the warnings were issued, people were spotted taking off by foot, bikes, and cars, with massive traffic clogging up the roads and pathways, effectively choking all civil transit in southern Lebanon, while public shelters were opened up to accommodate those fleeing.
More than a dozen explosions rocked Beirut, witnesses said, in the most intensive strikes on the southern suburbs since the war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2024. Lebanese security sources said airstrikes hit several areas of the southern suburbs of Beirut, known as Dahiyeh, a Hezbollah stronghold.
Denouncing Hezbollah’s attack without directly naming them, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on X “Regardless of who is behind it, the rocket fire from southern Lebanon is an irresponsible and suspicious act that endangers Lebanon’s security and safety and gives Israel pretexts to continue its attacks on it.
“We won’t let the country be dragged into new adventures, and we’ll take any necessary action to prosecute those responsible and protect the Lebanese.” . . .