For the first time since a fragile ceasefire was established in November 2023, Israel launched an airstrike on Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, renewing tensions in the region.
The attack on Friday (March 28, 2025) destroyed a residential building in the Hadath neighborhood, located in Beirut’s southern suburbs, where many civilians reside. This strike follows a series of exchanges between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, marking a return to hostilities after months of relative calm.
Israeli warplanes conducted four separate strikes, flattening the targeted building and causing extensive damage to surrounding apartments and shops. Al Jazeera’s reporter, Ali Hashem, who was at the scene, described the destruction: “It is total destruction here. It is a residential block in which many families lived, and many of them watched the building as Israeli warplanes destroyed it.” The attack struck a primarily residential area, with many civilians fleeing for safety in cars and on foot ahead of the strikes.
Israeli strikes in other parts of Lebanon on Friday killed three people and wounded 18, including children and women, in the southern village of Kfar Tibnit, said Lebanon’s health ministry. These casualties further highlight the human cost of the ongoing conflict in Lebanon and underscore the fragile situation in the region.
Israel’s response
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz condemned the rocket fire from Lebanon, holding the Lebanese government directly responsible. He stated, “As long as there is no peace in northern Israel, there will be no peace in Beirut either.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu further emphasized Israel’s resolve, declaring, “We will not allow firing at our communities, not even a trickle,” and stating that Israeli forces would continue to target any threats to the state of Israel, wherever they may be in Lebanon.
Israel’s military confirmed that the target was a Hezbollah military storage facility for drones, located in a stronghold within the southern suburbs of Beirut. The strike followed the firing of rockets from Lebanon into Israeli territory, the second such incident in the past week. While Hezbollah has denied involvement in the rocket attacks, no other group has claimed responsibility for the fire.
Lebanon’s reaction
Lebanon’s President, Joseph Aoun, said the Beirut area strike was a continuation “of Israel’s violations of the agreement” sponsored by France and the U.S.
Aoun said that his government had been in touch with US officials regarding the ceasefire that came into effect in November. “There is a ceasefire in place, and both sides are expected to respect the agreement,” Aoun said. “I call on Lebanon’s friends to act quickly to stop the deterioration and help Lebanon implement international resolutions,” he added.
Hezbollah swiftly denied any involvement in the rocket fire, accusing Israel of using the attacks as a pretext to escalate hostilities. Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have been high since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, with Hezbollah launching rockets in solidarity with Hamas. The recent ceasefire, brokered by the United States and France, brought a temporary halt to hostilities but failed to resolve underlying issues, with Israel failing to fully withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon as agreed.
Israel’s offensive in the Strip has killed over 50,000 people and wounded 114,000, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Nearly 900 have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire ended in mid-March, including more than 40 over the past 24 hours.
International reactions: Macron called the attack “unacceptable”
The airstrike has drawn sharp criticism from international actors, particularly France, which helped broker the ceasefire agreement.
Speaking in Paris alongside Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, French President Emmanuel Macron called the attack “unacceptable,” emphasizing that the breach of the ceasefire marked a significant turning point in regional stability. Macron described the Israeli actions as “unilateral” and said they played into Hezbollah’s hands, further complicating efforts for peace.
Macron vowed to raise the issue with both Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump. He also expressed concern over the broader implications for Lebanon, urging international intervention to prevent further deterioration.
The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, said the escalation had created “a critical period for Lebanon and the wider region.”
The U.S. also voiced concerns over the escalating violence. A U.S. State Department spokesperson underscored Israel’s right to defend itself against threats, but called on the Lebanese government to take action against militant groups operating from its territory.
A fragile peace at risk in the Middle East
The recent Israeli airstrike on Beirut serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Despite international efforts to stabilize the region, including U.S. and French mediation, tensions remain high. Both sides have engaged in tit-for-tat violence since the initial escalation in October 2023, with little progress towards a lasting peace agreement. As the situation continues to evolve, the risk of further escalation remains, and the international community faces increasing pressure to intervene and prevent a broader regional conflict.