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.

Source: CNN – Israeli airstrike rocks southern Beirut after military issues evacuation warning

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Tensions Rise as Hamas Warns of Postponement

Hamas has threatened to delay the next scheduled hostage release in Gaza, claiming Israel has violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The announcement, made Monday by Hamas’ military wing spokesman Abu Obeida, stated that the release set for Saturday would be postponed “until further notice” unless Israel complies with the deal.

Israel, in turn, has called Hamas’ threat a “complete violation of the ceasefire” and has ordered its military to prepare for “any possible scenario” in Gaza.

Hamas’ Accusations Against Israel

Hamas claims Israel has breached the ceasefire terms by:

• Blocking displaced Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza.
• Targeting civilians with shelling and gunfire.
• Delaying humanitarian aid, including fuel, medical supplies, and temporary shelters.

In a later statement, Hamas suggested there was still an opportunity for the hostage release to move forward if Israel complied with the deal.

“By issuing this statement five days ahead of the scheduled prisoner handover, Hamas aims to give mediators time to pressure Israel into honoring its commitments.”

Israel’s Response: Military on High Alert

Following Hamas’ announcement, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the military to increase readiness and postpone leave for combat soldiers in southern Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also reinforced its presence, anticipating possible escalations.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has moved up a security cabinet meeting to discuss the situation, signaling the urgency of the matter.

Public Pressure and Political Reactions

The hostage crisis has deeply affected the Israeli public, especially after images of three emaciated hostages released on Saturday surfaced, heightening fears for those still in captivity.

• Protests erupted in Tel Aviv Monday night, with demonstrators accusing Netanyahu’s government of sabotaging the ceasefire deal.
• Right-wing Israeli politicians have pushed for an immediate return to military action in Gaza.

Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested permanently displacing Palestinians from Gaza and proposed the U.S. should “own” the territory, adding further uncertainty to the situation.

Hostage Situation: The Numbers So Far

Since the ceasefire began on January 19, Hamas has released:

• 16 Israeli hostages (out of 33 promised in the first phase).
• Three hostages last Saturday, in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners.

Who Is Still in Captivity?

• 73 hostages remain in Gaza (out of 251 taken on October 7, 2023).
• Three additional hostages have been held since 2014.
• Eight of the 33 hostages expected in the first phase are confirmed dead.

What’s Next?

While Hamas’ threat is serious, past disputes between the two sides have been resolved through mediators. However, with military tensions rising and political pressure mounting in Israel, the fragile ceasefire is at risk of collapse.

The Hostage and Missing Families Forum has urged mediators to step in, stating:

“Time is of the essence. All hostages must be urgently rescued from this horrific situation.”

As the clock ticks, the fate of dozens of hostages—and the stability of the ceasefire—hangs in the balance.

Source

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