Israel strikes Lebanon's capital Beirut after Hezbollah attacks

BEIRUT — Israel carried out heavy airstrikes on Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday, following missile and drone attacks by the Iran-backed group targeting Israel. The retaliation came after the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

Witnesses reported more than a dozen explosions in Beirut, marking the most intensive strikes on the southern suburbs since the 2024 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanese security sources said the airstrikes hit multiple areas of the southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh.

The Israeli military said it was striking Hezbollah targets across Lebanon and held the group responsible for the escalation.

"Hezbollah opened a campaign against Israel overnight, and is fully responsible for any escalation," said Israeli Chief of the General Staff, Eyal Zamir.

Hezbollah launched the attacks in response to Israel killing Khamenei and cited ongoing Israeli violations against Lebanon.

"The resistance leadership has always emphasized that the continuation of Israeli attacks and the assassination of our leaders, youth, and people gives us the right to defend ourselves and respond at the appropriate time and place," the group said in a statement.

The Israeli military responded, stating, "The IDF will operate against Hezbollah’s decision to join the campaign and will not enable the organization to constitute a threat to the State of Israel."

Israeli strikes also targeted southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, according to Lebanese security sources.

Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in 2024, ending over a year of fighting that had severely weakened Hezbollah. Since then, both sides have accused each other of violations. Lebanon's presidency said Saturday that the U.S. ambassador assured them Israel would not escalate as long as Lebanon refrained from hostile acts.

-Reporting by Laila Bassam in Beirut, Yomna Ehab and Nayera Abdallah in Cairo; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Michael Perry/Reuters