Israel orders strikes on Beirut suburbs as Hezbollah attacks northern Israel

Israel has ordered strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs following an intensification of Hezbollah attacks on northern Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz issued orders for military strikes targeting the Dahieh area, a densely populated region of the Lebanese capital known as a Hezbollah stronghold.

The escalation came after a series of Hezbollah attacks on Israeli territory. A drone strike in the Beit Hillel area of northern Israel injured at least four people, according to Israeli media reports. Additionally, Hezbollah fired rockets toward the outskirts of the coastal city of Haifa. Emergency services responded to multiple incidents across northern Israel as the security situation deteriorated.

Following Israel's announcement, Lebanese civilians began fleeing southern Beirut suburbs. The Israeli government had issued warnings of impending attacks on the area. The Dahieh neighborhood serves as an operational center for Hezbollah and has been targeted in previous Israeli airstrikes during past conflicts.

The current violence appears to violate a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States in April. Both Israel and Hezbollah have accused each other of breaching the terms of that agreement. Israel's defense minister stated categorically that there would be 'no calm in Beirut' unless Hezbollah stops its attacks on Israeli civilians.

The tensions are escalating ahead of a United Nations Security Council meeting scheduled to discuss the situation in Lebanon. The international community is closely monitoring developments, as further escalation could destabilize the entire region. Iran, which backs Hezbollah, reportedly considers a ceasefire in Lebanon a key condition for any negotiations with the United States.

Israel has established what it describes as a military-controlled zone as it continues operations in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Shia militant group, controls large portions of southern Lebanon and possesses an extensive rocket arsenal. The organization functions both as a political party in Lebanon's parliament and as an armed militia.

The conflict represents a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between Israel and the Iranian-backed militant group. Hezbollah has been a major player in regional conflicts and maintains substantial military capabilities that pose a direct threat to Israeli population centers. The group's dual role as both a political entity and armed force complicates efforts to resolve the conflict through diplomatic means.

The situation remains highly volatile as both sides continue military activities. Emergency services in northern Israel remain on high alert, while in Lebanon, civilians flee combat zones. International diplomacy is working to prevent further escalation, but recent developments highlight the fragility of regional security arrangements and the challenges facing peace efforts in the Middle East.