Israeli Strikes Lash South Beirut in Intense ‘Fire Belt’ Attack

On Tuesday, intense Israeli airstrikes targeted Hezbollah’s stronghold in southern Beirut, marking the heaviest bombardment in the area in two months of full-scale conflict with Israel. These strikes appeared to be a final effort to punish Hezbollah before any potential ceasefire agreement.

Thick plumes of smoke rose from central Beirut after an Israeli airstrike hit a residential building without warning. Soon after, air raids intensified around Beirut’s southern suburbs, including Burj al-Barajneh, Haret Hreik, and Hadath, causing widespread smoke to blanket the area and extend into Beirut itself. This suggested Israel’s aim to continue striking Hezbollah positions until the very last moments before a ceasefire could be implemented.

The Israeli military had previously issued warnings to 20 buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs, claiming that the targets were linked to Hezbollah. The morning’s strikes had already hit 13 key Hezbollah sites in Dahieh, a stronghold in Beirut. These included an aerial defense center, an intelligence facility, a command post, and weapon storage units, as well as several financial system components of Hezbollah.

Although a ceasefire had not been finalized, Israel’s security Cabinet was expected to approve a U.S.-backed proposal later that day, with Lebanese officials indicating that Hezbollah also supported the deal. If agreed upon by all parties, this would represent a significant step toward halting the ongoing war, which has escalated regional tensions and raised concerns about the possibility of broader conflict.