Israeli fighters fired at least three airstrikes in Beirut on Friday, causing chaos in the rush to get residents away.
The first strike to strike Beirut since the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect on November 27th, came into effect as a shock.
Israel attacked Beirut as the Lebanese were preparing to mark the International QUDS Day in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Hizbula said the Zionist regime’s attack on the southern suburbs of Beirut has led to the decision to cancel the QUDS day rally.
According to local media, Lebanese Joseph Orn in Paris has been in touch with international stakeholders and pressured Israel to calm the situation.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam held an urgent meeting with security officials in Beirut to discuss the necessary measures to avoid further escalation.
In a statement on Telegram, Israeli forces said they attacked a drone storage facility belonging to Hezbollah in southern Beirut.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese National News Agency said “Israel fighters struck Hadas district in the southern suburbs of Beirut,” referring to the densely populated area home to residential buildings and schools.
Hezbollah firmly denies any role in rocket fires from Lebanon, occupied northern Palestine: Statement
Israel claimed it had hit Beirut in response to a rocket attack by Hezbollah. Hezbollah firmly denied any role in the rocket fire on Friday.
In a statement, Hezbollah’s Office of Media Relations cited sources within the Lebanese Resistance Group to confirm its commitment to the ceasefire agreement.
Sources firmly denied any role in the northern occupied Palestinian rocket fires.
“These events will come as part of creating a suspicious pretext to advance the Lebanese attack,” the statement added, citing the source.
Israeli occupation forces claimed that two rockets were fired from Lebanon early on Friday, one intercepted, and the other fell into Lebanon’s territory.
Correspondent Al-Manar reported an Israeli artillery fire targeting several towns in southern Lebanon.
A similar incident occurred last week when Israeli enemies alleged that several rockets had been fired from Lebanon in the Israeli capital settlement. At the time, Israeli occupation forces carried out a series of strikes targeting several regions throughout South Lebanon, and Hezbollah also denied any involvement in the rocket fire.
President AOUN: Israel’s “malicious” attacks aim to bring Lebanon back to a circle of violence
Lebanon President Joseph Own said Israel’s latest attack on Beirut was “a malicious attempt to return Lebanon to a vicious cycle of violence.”
(Attack) makes it even more stubborn in maintaining sovereignty across Lebanese territory under the Lebanese army,” he told a press conference in Paris along with French President Macron.
“We appeal to all our friends in Lebanon, from Paris to Washington, to act promptly to prevent the situation from escalating and to enable Lebanon to honor all international solutions to all Lebanon homes.”
Macron says Israel’s attack on Beirut is a “unacceptable” ceasefire violation, Macron says
French President Emmanuel Macron said Israel’s attack on Beirut was “unacceptable” and a violation of the ceasefire.
“Israel’s attack on Lebanon is unacceptable. What happened is unfair and useless. So France will continue to stand by you to ensure and maintain your sovereignty and security,” he said with President Aung.
The two leaders will meet at Elicie Palace in Paris to discuss economic reforms and efforts to stabilize the country as a fragile ceasefire with Israel.
Macron said Lebanese forces were deployed in most of southern Lebanon, and they assured that Hezbollah was not present there.
The Beirut attack could mark the beginning of a new phase in Israel’s war with Lebanon
Beirut-based journalist Ali Rizku told Al Jazeera that while the French president criticised Israel’s attacks on Beirut, it would be interesting to see how the US responded.
“Are they going to say that Israel has the right to protect itself, as we are used to, or is there another response given that this (attack) would undermine Washington’s allies?” he said.
The Trump administration had previously reassured Lebanon that the capital would not be hit again after a ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hezbollah in late November.
However, Israel claims that the Hezbollah drone is currently in storage and thus it crashed into a building in the south suburbs.
Rizku said the fact that Israel had previously attacked what it said was a missile storage site but claims it was targeting drone depots in the capital could set a new precedent.
“Is this the beginning of a new phase now that Lebanon’s capital is being targeted over and over again?” Rizk said.
“Unexpected attack”
“We are near the building (Beirut, Beirut), which was attacked by Israel, and here it is completely destroyed.
It was a residential block where many families lived, and many of them saw the building as Israeli war planes destroyed it.
Also, apartments and shops in the surrounding area have been affected by Israeli airstrikes, with many windows being crushed.
Here is a game changer. This is the first time Israel has targeted Beirut since November 27th.
Those living here did not expect Israel to attack Lebanon’s territory that deeply. ”