Beirut and Tel Aviv entered a new phase of direct confrontation on Sunday evening. Amid the ongoing US-Israeli offensive against Iran, Hezbollah broke its military silence, prompting an immediate response from the Israeli army on Lebanese territory.

A large-scale Israeli response

In the night from Sunday to Monday, powerful explosions rocked Beirut. The Israeli army (IDF) confirmed that it had launched airstrikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure "across Lebanon," specifying that the southern suburbs of the capital—a stronghold of the Shiite movement—were particularly targeted.

This operation follows a coordinated Hezbollah attack against northern Israel. General Eyal Zamir, the Israeli Chief of Staff, was unequivocal:

"Hezbollah is entirely responsible for this escalation. Any enemy threatening our security will pay a heavy price."

Hezbollah breaks its silence

For the first time since the start of the massive offensive against Tehran—marked by the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—Hezbollah has launched its own offensive. The movement claimed responsibility for sending a "salvage of missiles and a swarm of drones" to avenge the death of the Iranian leader and defend Lebanese sovereignty.

While the IDF claims to have intercepted the majority of the projectiles, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard maintains that the port of Haifa was hit by six missiles.

An explosive regional context

This resumption of hostilities is part of a broader strategy by the United States and Israel to dismantle the "axis of resistance." This Iranian network of influence includes:

1. Hezbollah in Lebanon.
2. Hamas in Gaza.
3. The Houthis in Yemen (who are threatening to enter the battle soon).
4. Various militias in Iraq.

Beirut between condemnation and impotence

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam strongly criticized Hezbollah's initiative, calling it an "irresponsible and suspicious" act. The government fears that these attacks will serve as a pretext for Israel to further devastate a country already weakened by previous wars and a ceasefire (November 2024) that has now expired.

Immediate diplomatic consequences: The international conference in support of the Lebanese armed forces, scheduled to take place in Paris this week, has been officially postponed by Presidents Joseph Aoun and Emmanuel Macron in the face of the security emergency.