War in the Middle East: Israel launches new strikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut despite the ceasefire

The Israeli army launched new strikes towards the capital of Lebanon, announced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday June 7. The IDF more precisely targeted the Dahiyé district, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, considered a stronghold of the pro-Iranian Shiite movement Hezbollah.

According to the head of the Israeli government, this is retaliation after shootings targeting Israel earlier in the day. “The army is currently carrying out a strike against terrorist command centers in the Dahiyé district of Beirut, in response to Hezbollah fire towards Israeli territory,” indicates a joint statement from Benyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.

Two apartments in two buildings in this suburb, a Hezbollah stronghold, were targeted, said the National Information Agency, a Lebanese state media outlet. Videos posted on social networks show a thick cloud of smoke rising from a residential area, as reported by the Lebanese daily The Orient-The Day. 

Fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon

These are the first Israeli strikes on this area of ​​Lebanon since May 28. At war against Hezbollah, a movement affiliated with the Iranian regime, Israel carries out most of its military operations in southern Lebanon. A ceasefire was signed between the Lebanese and Israeli authorities in Washington in mid-April. But he was never really respected. On Wednesday June 3, the Lebanese and Israelis once again agreed on a ceasefire. But it remains fragile.

Rejected by Hezbollah, the agreement provides for a ceasefire conditional on a “complete cessation” of the Shiite group’s shooting, while allowing a continuation at this stage of shooting and operations by the Israeli army in southern Lebanon. Israel warned on Thursday that it would strike Beirut in the event of Hezbollah attacks against its territory.

At the start of the week, President Donald Trump intervened to curb Benjamin Netanyahu’s ambitions in Lebanon, while Israel continues to expand its zone of operations in the south of the country. “You’re completely crazy,” the White House tenant said during a telephone call with his Israeli ally, who wanted to launch new strikes on Beirut. The Prime Minister of Israel then gave up. Until this Sunday.