Israel Strikes Southern Beirut On Eve Of Religious Holiday

Israel has carried out several air strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, saying it was targeting Hezbollah‘s drone production.

The attack on Thursday night, the eve of Eid Al Adha, one of the most important celebrations in Islam, followed evacuation warnings for several buildings in the area, where Hezbollah is based in the capital.

The Israeli Defense Forces said it had identified a Hezbollah unit producing “thousands” of drones underground, funded by “Iranian terrorists”.

Lebanon’s prime minister said he “strongly condemns” the strikes.

“I consider them to constitute a systematic and deliberate attack on our homeland, its security, stability, and economy, especially on the eve of the holidays and the tourist season,” Nawaf Salam said.

Thousands fled packed streets in the densely populated area following the evacuation warning, causing a traffic gridlock. Plumes of smoke then appeared in the sky.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described the strikes as a “flagrant violation of an international accord” while noting it had occurred “on the eve of a sacred religious festival”.

Israel’s military said Hezbollah’s “extensive use” of drones was central to its attacks on Israel, calling the activities “a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon”.