Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut's southern suburbs for third time in half hour

Israeli warplanes carried out three airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut Monday evening, sending powerful explosions across the Lebanese capital and its surroundings. The strikes, conducted within a 30-minute window, mark an intensification of Israeli operations targeting Hezbollah positions.

Capital shaken

According to witnesses, smoke billowed from the targeted sites while aircraft continued to circle over Beirut and its vicinity. The southern suburbs, a stronghold of Hezbollah, have been repeatedly targeted in recent weeks as the conflict expands beyond Iran's borders.

Army confirms operation

In a brief statement, the Israeli army said it had "begun striking Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut," without providing further details on the specific targets or potential casualties. No immediate information was available on damage or injuries from the strikes.

Wider conflict

The attacks come as the broader regional conflict continues to escalate. The US-Israeli offensive against Iran, launched Feb. 28, has killed more than 1,340 people, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, while Israel has expanded its operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, opening another front in the expanding war.