Beirut's Skyline Ignited by Israeli Jets after Hezbollah Base Strike Ends the Calm

The fragile quiet over the Lebanese capital vanished instantly as the night sky lit up with fresh explosions on Monday morning, March 2nd. This escalation follows a daring Hezbollah strike on an Israeli military installation, shattering months of uneasy restraint.

Now, as the roar of engines returns, families in Beirut brace for a swift and massive military response.

Retaliation for Khamenei: Hezbollah Claims Haifa Base Strike

Hezbollah has admitted to launching missile strikes against a military site in Haifa, framing the move as both a defence of Lebanon and a direct response to the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. This act of aggression prompted a swift reaction from the Israel Defence Forces, who began targeting the group's positions throughout Lebanese territory.

According to the group Saraya Awliya al-Dam, a relentless 15-month campaign by Israel alongside the targeted killing of top officials has left them with no choice but to strike back when the moment is right.

The Guardian reports that the Saraya Awliya al-Dam is part of a network of Shia militias that has been active in Iraq following the 2003 US-led invasion and the subsequent fall of Saddam Hussein.

Operation 'Roaring Lion': Israel Vows to Neutralise Threats

The Israel Defence Forces have initiated a wave of strikes against Hezbollah targets across Lebanon following the recent missile fire. In a statement, the military accused the group of driving Lebanon toward ruin, insisting that they alone are to blame for the current spiral of violence.

'The launching of missiles from Lebanese territory this morning targets all the efforts and endeavours made by the Lebanese state to keep Lebanon away from the dangerous military confrontations taking place in the region,' the Lebanese president, Joseph Aoun, said in a statement, cited by AFP.

The IDF further warned that its response would be uncompromising, noting that troops are ready for a multi-front conflict and remain fully prepared to neutralise any threat to the nation.

The IDF further noted that Hezbollah serves as a tool of the Iranian government, intentionally endangering Israeli civilians while simultaneously putting Lebanon at risk. These latest aerial operations are part of the broader 'Roaring Lion' campaign, with Israeli forces remaining fully mobilised for a multi-front war if the situation worsens.

Beirut Under Fire: Pre-Dawn Blasts Rock the Capital

The weekend's violence erupted on Sunday, coming just two days after the US and Israel carried out joint military operations against Iran. A barrage of missiles launched from Lebanese territory toward northern Israel forced the IDF to strike back. Israeli officials have made it clear they will not permit Hezbollah to endanger the nation or its northern residents, pledging a firm and decisive response to any further provocations.

A series of roughly 12 explosions tore through the pre-dawn quiet at 3 a.m. on Monday, jolting residents of the capital awake as Israeli missiles hit three specific sites in Beirut's southern suburbs, a known stronghold for Hezbollah.

The blasts were powerful enough to rattle windows across the capital and could be heard from miles around. In southern Lebanon, the sound of warplanes filled the air as a massive wave of strikes hit large parts of the region, reducing buildings to rubble in villages near the city of Tyre.