Major Escalation as Israel Strikes Heart of Beirut
In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Israeli warplanes carried out a targeted airstrike in Beirut on Sunday, November 23, marking the first such attack on the Lebanese capital since June. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed they had conducted what they described as a "precise strike" targeting a key Hezbollah terrorist operative.
Strike Rocks Southern Beirut Suburbs
According to multiple eyewitness accounts, residents in Beirut's southern suburbs—known as a stronghold of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group—reported hearing the distinct roar of warplanes moments before a powerful explosion shook the area. The attack targeted a main road in the densely populated Haret Hreik neighborhood, causing widespread panic among local residents.
A Reuters journalist present at the scene described chaotic scenes as people rushed out of their apartment buildings, fearing additional strikes might follow. Medical sources confirmed that at least two dozen people were wounded in the attack and subsequently transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Neither Hezbollah nor Lebanon's health ministry has issued official statements regarding the incident at this time.
Netanyahu Takes Personal Responsibility
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office revealed that the Prime Minister had personally ordered the military operation, claiming it specifically targeted Hezbollah's "chief of staff." In an official statement, Netanyahu's office asserted that "In the heart of Beirut, the IDF attacked the Hezbollah chief of staff, who had been leading the terrorist organisation's buildup and rearmament."
The Israeli leader reinforced his government's determination during a cabinet meeting earlier on Sunday, stating that Israel would continue fighting "terrorism" on multiple fronts. He emphasized, "We will continue to do whatever is necessary to prevent Hezbollah from reestablishing its ability to threaten us," and added the significant declaration that "Israel is determined to act to achieve its objectives everywhere and at all times."
US Involvement and Regional Implications
According to senior US officials cited by Reuters, Israel did not provide Washington with advance warning about Sunday's specific strike, with the Biden administration being informed only immediately after the attack occurred. However, another senior American official indicated that the United States had known "for days" that Israel planned to escalate strikes in Lebanon, though the exact timing remained undisclosed.
The attack represents a major escalation in the ongoing conflict along the Israel-Lebanon border, where Israel has intensified near-daily airstrikes throughout November. Israeli authorities maintain these operations are necessary to prevent what they describe as a "military revival" by Hezbollah forces. The strike occurs amid increased pressure from Washington and Jerusalem on Lebanon to implement a government-approved plan to disarm Hezbollah nationwide by year's end.
This development underscores the growing volatility across the Israel-Lebanon frontier and signals potential for further escalation in regional conflicts that have been simmering since the US-backed ceasefire last year. The targeted nature of the strike and the high-level claims about its purpose suggest Israel is adopting increasingly assertive measures to counter what it perceives as security threats from Hezbollah's military capabilities.
