//Israel Strikes Lebanon’s Beirut, Testing Fragile Truce with Hezbollah//
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| This picture taken early on April 1, 2025 shows a damaged building after an Israeli attack in southern Beirut / |
Israel’s military has launched an airstrike on Beirut, Lebanon’s capital, for the second time in less than a week, escalating tensions and putting the fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah at risk. The attack, which occurred in the southern suburb of Dahiyeh early Tuesday morning, reportedly killed at least four people, including a woman, and injured seven others. The Lebanese Ministry of Health confirmed the casualties, while local residents and officials condemned the assault as a dangerous provocation.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the strike targeted Hassan Bdeir, an alleged Hezbollah operative and member of Iran’s Quds Force, who they claimed was assisting Hamas in planning an imminent attack against Israeli civilians. However, Israel has yet to provide concrete evidence for these claims, and Hezbollah has not officially responded to the allegations.
Growing Instability Amid Ceasefire Violations
The airstrike follows another attack just three days prior, marking a severe deterioration of the truce agreement brokered in November 2024 by France and the United States. That agreement ended a year-long conflict and stipulated the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, as well as the repositioning of Hezbollah forces north of the Litani River. However, both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violations, with Israeli forces maintaining control over key strategic hilltops in southern Lebanon and carrying out frequent strikes against alleged Hezbollah targets.
Tuesday’s attack raises concerns that the ceasefire may be unraveling. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the bombing, calling it a blatant act of aggression against Lebanese sovereignty. In a public statement, he urged the international community to intervene and reaffirm Lebanon’s right to defend its territorial integrity.
Civilian and Infrastructural Damage
Footage from Dahiyeh captured the immediate aftermath of the airstrike, showing thick plumes of smoke rising above the neighborhood. Several apartment buildings sustained heavy damage, with at least three floors of one structure completely destroyed. Residents described scenes of chaos as emergency responders rushed to rescue those trapped under the debris.
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| A damaged building after an Israeli attack in southern Beirut, April 1, 2025. |
Among the dead was a woman who was reportedly asleep in her home at the time of the attack. Local hospitals have since been inundated with casualties, while authorities work to account for any additional victims.
Regional and International Reactions
The international community has reacted with concern over the escalating hostilities. The United Nations has urged both sides to exercise restraint and adhere to the ceasefire terms, warning that a full-scale conflict could have catastrophic consequences for the region.
France and the United States, as key brokers of the truce, have remained largely silent on the latest developments, drawing criticism from analysts who argue that their inaction is emboldening Israel to carry out further strikes. Phyllis Bennis, a fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies, stated that Washington’s continued military support for Israel has indirectly facilitated its recent actions in Lebanon.
“The U.S. has made it clear that they will not criticize Israel, nor will they restrict the flow of weapons enabling these strikes,” Bennis said. “What we’re seeing is an extension of the war in Gaza, with Israel expanding its military operations into Lebanon.”
Future Implications
With tensions at an all-time high, questions remain about whether Hezbollah will retaliate, potentially triggering a wider regional conflict. Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem previously warned that if Israeli strikes continued unchecked, the group would be forced to explore “other alternatives.” The Lebanese government now faces immense pressure to respond to the attacks while avoiding actions that could lead to an all-out war.
For the people of Beirut, the fear of another prolonged conflict looms large. Many residents, already displaced by previous hostilities, worry that their city is once again becoming a battleground. As diplomatic efforts stall, the risk of further violence continues to mount, threatening to unravel the delicate balance that has kept the ceasefire intact for the past four months.