Israeli Airstrike Hits Southern Beirut Following Evacuation Warning

An Israeli airstrike shook southern Beirut on Sunday, just moments after the Israeli military issued an urgent evacuation warning for parts of the Lebanese capital.

Video footage captured by Reuters showed a massive plume of smoke rising into the sky shortly after 6:00 p.m. local time (11 a.m. ET), marking one of the rare strikes within Beirut itself.

According to a joint statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, the strike targeted a Hezbollah facility believed to be storing precision missiles. Hezbollah has not yet issued a response.

The Lebanese Civil Defense quickly moved in, extinguishing fires caused by the blast and reporting no injuries.

Earlier in the day, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Avichay Adraee had warned civilians in the Hadath neighborhood to evacuate, claiming Hezbollah was operating facilities in the area. Residents were urged to move at least 300 meters away for their safety.

The airstrike drew sharp condemnation from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who called on the United States and France to pressure Israel into immediately halting its attacks.

While Israeli strikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon have become more frequent since a ceasefire took effect in November, direct hits within Beirut remain unusual. Sunday’s strike follows two others earlier this month, including one in the Dahieh area.

UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis voiced concern over the escalating tensions, saying the strike “generated panic and fear of renewed violence among those desperate for a return to normalcy.” She urged all parties to avoid actions that could jeopardize the fragile ceasefire.

Before the November agreement, Israel and Hezbollah had been locked in more than a year of cross-border attacks, fueled by the broader conflict in Gaza. Last September, Israel intensified its military operations, culminating in the killing of a senior Hezbollah leader.

As tensions continue to simmer, Sunday’s strike serves as a stark reminder of how quickly the situation can unravel.