Beirut: Israeli airstrikes on Thursday hit the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital Beirut, according to Lebanon's state news agency NNA. The strikes targeted areas known as Hezbollah's stronghold, as part of the ongoing tensions between Israel and the militant group.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Israeli army announced its operations in Beirut, claiming to target Hezbollah infrastructure. This follows a series of clashes, including an incident earlier on Thursday where Hezbollah fighters engaged Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, resulting in the latter's withdrawal. In retaliation, Hezbollah launched a swarm of drones targeting Israeli military sites, including the Ein Zeitim base and the Rafael military industries complex.

The current escalation traces back to Monday when Hezbollah attacked a military site in northern Israel with rockets and drones. This was in response to Israeli airstrikes and the killing of Khamenei. The subsequent Israeli counterattacks have resulted in significant casualties, with at least 72 fatalities and nearly 450 injuries reported, alongside a ground incursion into southern Lebanon.

Israel's actions have been part of a broader offensive that began in October 2023 and intensified into a full-scale conflict by September 2024, leading to over 4,000 deaths and about 17,000 injuries. The ongoing hostilities have seen repeated violations of a ceasefire agreement signed with Hezbollah in November 2024.

Complicating the regional situation, the US and Israel have been conducting large-scale operations against Iran since Saturday, resulting in approximately 900 deaths, including that of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and key military figures. In response, Tehran has launched drone and missile attacks against Israel and US assets in the Gulf region.