Israeli forces launched a large-scale aerial assault on Beirut on Wednesday, striking more than 100 targets in minutes, according to the Israeli military. The strikes came just hours after the United States and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire.
Advertisement The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel supported the temporary suspension of attacks on Iran. Officials said the agreement did not apply to Israel’s ongoing offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Washington Post reported.
Lebanon’s Civil Defense said crews worked overnight to locate survivors. Authorities warned the death toll could rise as operations continued.
Advertisement Explosions were reported across Beirut shortly after the ceasefire announcement
Advertisement Explosions were reported across Beirut shortly after the ceasefire announcement. Airstrikes hit areas near schools, commercial districts, and the country’s only international airport.
Hospitals called for urgent blood donations, and medical officials urged health care workers to report for emergency duty. Smoke was seen rising from multiple areas, including Beirut and the southern city of Tyre.
Israel’s military said it carried out strikes across Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon. Officials said the targets included Hezbollah positions.
Advertisement Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strikes were part of “surprise attacks” against Hezbollah fighters
Advertisement Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strikes were part of “surprise attacks” against Hezbollah fighters. He said Israel was separating its operations in Lebanon from the ceasefire involving Iran.
Hezbollah had previously launched rockets into Israel following a joint U.S.-Israeli strike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to regional reports. Israeli officials said their actions were aimed at preventing further attacks.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the strikes. He said the attacks targeted densely populated residential areas and killed civilians.
Advertisement Salam called on international allies to intervene
Advertisement Salam called on international allies to intervene. “Help us stop these attacks by all available means,” he said.
“I don’t want them to mourn me,” Saliba said. She spoke while leaving her workplace to return home during the attacks.
Lebanese officials said they have sought diplomatic solutions for weeks
Lebanese officials said they have sought diplomatic solutions for weeks. They said they appealed to the United States and European allies, including France, for intervention.
Israel has rejected those overtures, citing ongoing threats from Hezbollah. Officials said rocket and drone attacks have displaced residents in northern Israel in previous conflicts.
Israel has also launched a ground offensive in southern Lebanon. Authorities said more than 10 percent of the country has been placed under evacuation orders.
The policy has raised concerns about a prolonged military presence
Israeli officials said displaced Lebanese residents would not be allowed to return until security conditions improve. The policy has raised concerns about a prolonged military presence.
Lebanese authorities said more than 1,700 people have been killed in the broader conflict, including at least 130 children. More than 1 million people have been displaced, according to officials.
Israel said 12 of its soldiers have been killed in combat in Lebanon. Officials also said Hezbollah rocket fire has killed two people inside Israel.
Hezbollah condemned the latest strikes
The escalation raised questions about the scope of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire. Iranian officials said they believed the agreement included a halt to Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the ceasefire did not apply to Lebanon. She told reporters the agreement was limited to U.S. and Iranian operations.
Officials later described the discrepancy as a misunderstanding
Pakistan, which helped mediate the agreement, initially indicated the ceasefire would apply broadly. Officials later described the discrepancy as a misunderstanding.
Vice President JD Vance said Iranian officials may have interpreted the deal differently. “I think the Iranians thought that the ceasefire included Lebanon, and it just didn’t,” Vance said.
