As expectations grow that a ceasefire will be in place to stop the fighting in Lebanon, Israel has struck several targets in the Lebanese capital Beirut from the air, particularly the city’s southern suburbs.
More than a year after the start of the war between Israel and the Hezbollah militia, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said on Tuesday that a ceasefire deal was only awaiting the green light from Israel.
“Basically [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu agreed and we as a government agree,” Bou Habib told Italian television channel Rai.
“The final decision lies with the Israeli cabinet,” the minister said.
Netanyahu will convene his security cabinet later Tuesday to approve a 60-day ceasefire with Hezbollah, according to media reports.
When asked if a ceasefire was 100% certain, Bou Habib said: “No one can give you 100%. You should ask Netanyahu that.”
Israel: ‘Zero tolerance’ towards ceasefire violations
Israel will crack down on Hezbollah for violations even after a ceasefire, the country’s defense minister said on Tuesday.
“It won’t be like before,” Israel Katz said, according to his office, during a meeting with Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN special coordinator for Lebanon.
“We will act against any threat anytime, anywhere,” Katz said.
“Every house in southern Lebanon that is rebuilt and used as a terrorist base will be destroyed,” Katz continued.
In addition, he said, action would be taken against any rearmament of Hezbollah and any attempt at arms smuggling. “Any threat to our troops or Israeli civilians will be destroyed immediately.”
He stressed that the Israeli government would show “zero tolerance” towards any ceasefire violations. At the same time, he called on the UN peacekeeping force, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), to effectively implement a ceasefire.
Beirut targeted by multiple air strikes
Even as expectations for a ceasefire increased, the Israeli air force launched massive strikes on central Beirut and the city’s southern suburbs, a hotbed of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement.
According to witnesses and security sources, a building near the densely populated neighborhoods of Nuwairi and Ras al-Naba was bombed.
At least seven people were killed and 37 injured, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
Samir, a resident of a building in the coastal Ras Beirut district, told dpa: “I’m trying to get my children out of the area… enough is enough.”
Later, dozens of simultaneous airstrikes hit the southern outskirts of Dahiyeh. The sound of huge explosions echoed through the city, causing panic among residents.
Witnesses said thick clouds of smoke rose as parts of the suburbs were engulfed by a ring of fire.
Israeli forces confirmed attacks on “terrorist targets” without initially providing further details.
The military had issued evacuation warnings for at least 20 locations in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Israel also attacked Burj al-Barajneh, another area in the southern suburbs. Residents reported large explosions shaking the city.
At least six buildings were destroyed in the attack, according to Lebanese security sources.
As night fell, the Israeli military issued more evacuation warnings to areas in Beirut and flares were seen over the city.
Israeli troops reach the Litani River
Further south in Lebanon, Israeli ground forces reached the symbolic Litani River during their advance into the neighboring country, the army said on Tuesday.
The Israeli military published a photo on the social media platform X apparently showing soldiers crossing a bridge over the river.
Numerous weapons and enemy infrastructure have been found and destroyed in the area, the report said.
As part of a soon-expected ceasefire, Israel wants the Lebanese Hezbollah militia to permanently withdraw behind the Litani River, 30 kilometers from the official border. This withdrawal was also specified in UN Resolution 1701, which marked the end of the last Lebanon War in 2006.
The agreement includes calls for the full implementation of the resolution and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon.
Smoke rises from multiple locations in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a stronghold of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah, after heavy Israeli airstrikes amid ongoing clashes. Meanwhile, Israel’s security cabinet is reportedly finalizing details to approve a possible ceasefire plan with Hezbollah. Marwan Naamani/dpa
