Israeli airstrikes hit Hezbollah targets in Beirut as border tensions escalate

BEIRUT (AP) — Israeli warplanes struck multiple terrorist infrastructure sites belonging to the militant group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon's Dahiya district early Sunday, marking a significant escalation in cross-border hostilities. The attacks came hours after rocket fire from Lebanese territory landed inside Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the military operation shortly before noon local time on June 14, stating that the strikes were a direct response to sustained aggression against Israeli civilians. "We will not allow Hezbollah to operate with impunity," Netanyahu said in a brief statement released from Jerusalem. The IDF launched precision-guided munitions targeting command centers and weapons depots within the densely populated Beirut suburb.

The Dahiya district, known for its strong support of the Iran-backed militia group, has become an increasingly frequent flashpoint since tensions flared last month along the northern border. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for launching a series of Katyusha rockets toward Israeli towns in the Galilee region earlier Sunday morning. The projectiles fell short of major urban centers but caused minor property damage and prompted sirens across several communities.

Lebanese officials condemned the airstrike as an act of aggression, with Foreign Minister Abdallah Boulos calling it a violation of Lebanese sovereignty that could spiral into broader regional conflict. "This is not self-defense; this is escalation," he said during a press briefing in Beirut. The Lebanese Army reported no casualties from the Israeli strikes but confirmed smoke rising over several buildings in Dahiya.

Emergency services rushed to the scene as residents fled their homes amid thick plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky. Local hospitals prepared for potential injuries, though initial reports indicated that most damage was confined to military installations rather than civilian structures. Witnesses described hearing loud explosions followed by a prolonged period of silence before emergency vehicles arrived.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has deployed additional peacekeeping units near the border area and is coordinating with both Israeli and Lebanese authorities to prevent further incidents. UN officials have urged restraint, warning that any miscalculation could trigger an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah.

As of Sunday afternoon, no official casualty figures had been released by either side. Questions remain regarding whether additional strikes are planned or if diplomatic channels will be opened immediately following the attack. Regional observers note this incident represents one of the most direct confrontations since the 2006 Lebanon War.