Beirut erupted into chaos following the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israel airstrike. Hezbollah, the powerful Shia militant group based in southern Lebanon, launched a barrage of rockets towards Israel, marking the first such attack since the November 2024 ceasefire.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam issued a stark warning on social media, condemning the rocket launches from southern Lebanon as ‘irresponsible’ acts that endanger the nation’s security and provide Israel with pretext for further aggression. Without naming Hezbollah directly, Salam vowed to take all necessary measures to halt the perpetrators and protect Lebanese civilians.
Israel responded swiftly with airstrikes on Hezbollah-controlled areas across Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intercepted one rocket while others landed in open fields, triggering air raid sirens across northern Israel. No immediate casualties were reported, though several people sustained minor injuries rushing to shelters.
IDF Northern Command Chief MG Rafi Milo declared that Hezbollah had chosen allegiance to Iran over the Lebanese government, vowing a heavy price for the attacks. ‘We were prepared, and they will pay dearly,’ Milo stated. Israel intensified its aerial campaign, targeting senior operatives, headquarters, and terrorist infrastructure in Beirut and southern Lebanon.
This escalation threatens to unravel fragile peace efforts in the region. As tensions soar, questions mount over Lebanon’s ability to rein in Hezbollah amid its deep ties to Tehran. The international community watches closely, with the US, Israel, and parts of the EU designating the group as terrorists. Prime Minister Salam’s firm stance signals a potential shift, but the path to de-escalation remains fraught with peril.