At least 31 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon on Monday, according to the Lebanese health ministry, following rocket and drone attacks claimed by Hezbollah.
The Israeli military said it carried out multiple strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs and several towns in southern Lebanon — areas widely regarded as Hezbollah strongholds. Officials in Israel stated that operations would intensify, warning that Hezbollah would face severe consequences after targeting Israeli territory.
Hezbollah announced in the early hours of Monday that it had fired missiles and launched drones toward an Israeli military site south of Haifa. The group described the attack as retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whom it blamed on a joint U.S.-Israeli military operation.
The overnight strike marked the first time Hezbollah officially claimed responsibility for an attack on Israel since a ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024 aimed to halt more than a year of cross-border hostilities.
Lebanon’s health authorities reported that 31 people were killed — 20 in Beirut’s southern suburbs and 11 in southern regions — with at least 149 others wounded. Airstrikes reportedly damaged residential buildings, ignited fires, and triggered widespread displacement, with many families fleeing affected neighborhoods by car and motorcycle.
In response, Israel said its forces had targeted senior Hezbollah operatives in precision strikes. The military also issued evacuation warnings to residents in dozens of towns in southern and eastern Lebanon, urging civilians to move at least one kilometer away from targeted areas.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun warned that attacks launched from Lebanese territory could drag the country deeper into a broader regional conflict.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described Hezbollah’s actions as irresponsible and pledged efforts to prevent further escalation.
Israel’s military leadership stated that Hezbollah bears full responsibility for the latest escalation.