Israeli strikes hit south Lebanon on the eve of Eid Al-Adha
Israel launched multiple air strikes on Hezbollah-linked targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs late on June 5th just hours before the start of Eid Al-Adha, according to the BBC.
The Israeli military claimed it was targeting an underground unit allegedly producing “thousands” of drones, funded by “Iranian terrorists”.
The attack followed a warning issued by Israel’s Arabic military spokesperson, who instructed residents of the Hadath, Haret Hreik, and Borj el-Barajneh neighborhoods in Dahieh to leave. They took to social media to share a map identifying specific buildings. They said: “You are next to infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah.”
Thousands fled the densely populated area, causing heavy traffic and widespread panic. Despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, Israel said the strikes were justified by Hezbollah’s “extensive use” of drones in cross-border attacks. Hezbollah has not yet issued a response.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the attack. He said: “I consider them to constitute a systematic and deliberate attack on our homeland, its security, stability, and economy, especially on the eve of the holidays and the tourist season.”
Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called it a “flagrant violation of an international accord” adding that it occurred “on the eve of a sacred religious festival”.
The air strikes are the latest in a series of Israeli operations in Lebanon since the October 7th Hamas attack that triggered the war in Gaza. Israel has carried out several strikes on targets it says are linked to Hezbollah in April.
Israel maintains that its military campaign in Lebanon is aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s operations near the border, actions it argues were not addressed by UN peacekeeping forces. Lebanon’s government says such operations, along with Israel’s continued presence in five locations in the south, violate the terms of the truce.
The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon discovered over 225 weapons stockpiles in southern Lebanon. These findings were given to the Lebanese army, as reported by The New Arab and agencies on May 13th.
Hezbollah began its campaign against Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, launching attacks the day after Hamas’s assault on southern Israel in October 2023.
BBC, The New Arab and agencies
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