Early Monday, the skies over Beirut erupted with violence as Israeli jets bombed Lebanon’s capital, killing at least 31 people and injuring 149 more, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA). The strikes came in the wake of a dramatic escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-allied Lebanese armed group, after a rocket and drone attack targeted a military base in Haifa, northern Israel. The events mark a significant and dangerous turn in the region’s already fraught dynamics, raising fears of a broader conflict that could engulf more of the Middle East.
Hezbollah, which operates independently from Lebanon’s government, claimed responsibility for the attack on Haifa. The group said in a statement that its actions were “in defence of Lebanon and its people” and “in response to the repeated Israeli aggressions,” as well as retaliation for the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The statement continued, “The resistance leadership has always affirmed that the continuation of Israeli aggression and the assassination of our leaders, youth and people gives us the right to defend ourselves and respond at the appropriate time and place.” Hezbollah’s message was clear: Israeli military actions and the loss of their Iranian ally had crossed a red line.
According to The Times of Israel, sirens blared across northern Israel, including Haifa and the Upper Galilee, on March 1 as projectiles fired from Lebanon triggered emergency warnings. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the incident was under investigation, while Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical service, reported no injuries at that time. Although the immediate aftermath was marked by confusion and uncertainty, Hebrew media quickly pointed to Hezbollah as the likely perpetrator, despite the group’s initial silence.
This marked the first time Hezbollah had fired at Israel since the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect in November 2024. It was also the first instance of Hezbollah joining Iran in direct attacks on Israel since the previous Israel-Iran war in June 2025, according to The Times of Israel. For many in the region, the move shattered a fragile calm and signaled a potential shift toward wider hostilities.
Israel’s response was swift and forceful. The Israeli military said it was “vigorously attacking Hezbollah” throughout Lebanon, launching air strikes not only in southern Beirut but also in several villages in south Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley in the east. The military stated, “The [Israeli military] will act against Hezbollah’s decision to join the campaign, and will not allow the organisation to pose a threat to [Israel] and harm the residents of the north.” The statement continued, “The Hezbollah terror organisation is destroying the state of Lebanon. Responsibility for the escalation lies with it, and the [Israeli military] will respond forcefully to this harm.”
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, issued a chilling warning, declaring that Hezbollah would pay a “heavy price” for firing at Israel. He singled out Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Naim Qassem, saying he was “now a marked target for assassination.” Katz added, “Anyone who follows Khamenei’s path will soon find himself in the depths of hell with all the thwarted members of the axis of evil.” The rhetoric underscored the gravity of the situation and the potential for further bloodshed.
In the midst of the chaos, the Israeli military reported targeting “senior” Hezbollah members in the Beirut area and a “key” figure in south Lebanon, though details remained sparse. Israel also issued mass evacuation orders for more than 50 villages in south Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, including the town of Bint Jbeil, advising residents to keep at least one kilometer away from buildings. The scale of the evacuation mirrored the sweeping displacement orders seen during previous conflicts, particularly Israel’s war on Gaza.
Hezbollah’s decision to strike back comes after months of restraint following the November 2024 ceasefire. During that period, Israel had continued near-daily strikes across Lebanon, a point Hezbollah highlighted in its statement. The group had previously urged the Lebanese government to take responsibility for protecting the country, refraining from direct retaliation. The Lebanese authorities, for their part, have repeatedly appealed to the international community to pressure Israel to halt its violations, but with little success. In January, Beirut filed a complaint with the United Nations documenting 2,036 Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty in the last quarter of 2025.
The Lebanese government has found itself in an increasingly precarious position. Last year, it issued a decree to disarm Hezbollah, but the group rejected the move, insisting that its arsenal was essential to defend Lebanon against Israeli expansionism. Monday’s events have only deepened the rift. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned Hezbollah’s attack as “an irresponsible and suspicious act that jeopardises Lebanon’s security and safety and provides Israel with pretexts to continue its aggression.” Salam added, “We will not allow the country to be dragged into new adventures, and we will take all necessary measures to apprehend the perpetrators and protect the Lebanese people,” as posted on X (formerly Twitter).
For ordinary Lebanese, the new wave of violence comes as the country grapples with years of economic and political turmoil. The escalation threatens to further destabilize a nation already reeling from inflation, unemployment, and a fragile government. Many in Beirut and beyond fear that renewed conflict could unravel what little stability remains, with civilians once again caught in the crossfire.
The international response has so far been muted, though regional powers are watching closely. The violence marks a significant escalation in what is increasingly seen as a regional war, with the United States and Israel on one side, and Iran and its allies—including Hezbollah—on the other. The risk of a wider conflagration looms large, especially given the tangled web of alliances and grievances in the region.
Hezbollah, weakened by the 2024 war in which Israel killed many of its military and political leaders, now faces questions about its capacity to inflict damage on Israel or significantly alter the balance of power for Iran. Yet, as Monday’s events show, the group retains the ability to spark major confrontations—and to draw Lebanon deeper into conflict.
As the dust settles over Beirut, the toll of the latest violence is painfully clear. With dozens dead, hundreds injured, and thousands more displaced or living in fear, the cycle of retaliation and escalation shows no sign of abating. Whether the international community will intervene to halt the bloodshed remains uncertain. For now, the people of Lebanon and northern Israel brace for what may come next, hoping for peace but preparing for the possibility of further war.