Israel bombs Beirut after Hezbollah launches rocket attack
Al Jazeera
March 2, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Israel has launched airstrikes in Beirut in response to a rocket and drone attack attributed to Hezbollah, which claimed the assault was retaliation for the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The attack by Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned Lebanese group, targeted a military base near Haifa, prompting Israel to strike southern Beirut and other areas, including the Bekaa Valley. This escalation comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides accusing each other of violations following a ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024.
The violence has already caused significant casualties, with reports indicating at least 31 deaths and over 149 injuries from the Israeli strikes. Hezbollah justified its actions as a defense against Israeli aggression and a response to Khamenei's assassination, while Israel characterized the group as a threat to Lebanese sovereignty and stability
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 3/2/2026