Beirut: Israel has carried out a series of airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, claiming the attacks targeted Hezbollah’s drone production facilities. The strikes, which occurred on Thursday night, coincided with the Islamic religious holiday of Eid al-Adha.
The Israeli military stated that it had identified an underground facility used by Hezbollah for manufacturing drones with Iranian support. According to Israel, the facility was producing thousands of drones that were central to Hezbollah’s operations.
Despite a de facto truce between Israel and Hezbollah that has lasted for over six months, these airstrikes mark a significant escalation. Prior to the attacks, Israel reportedly issued evacuation warnings, prompting thousands of residents to flee the densely populated areas.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, strongly condemned the strikes. In a post on social media platform X, he stated: “I consider these attacks, which come during a religious holiday and tourist season, a deliberate and systematic assault on our homeland, its security, stability, and economy.”
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also condemned the strikes, describing them as a "violation of international agreements" and emphasizing that they were launched during a sacred religious holiday.
The Israeli military justified the operation by citing Hezbollah’s “extensive use of drones” in attacks against Israel, calling the group's activities a breach of mutual understandings between the two sides.
Hezbollah has not issued any official statement in response to the airstrikes or Israel’s claims about the drone production facility.
