Israel attacks Beirut: evacuation after new airstrike!

Israel attacks Beirut: evacuation after new airstrike!

On April 27, 2025, Israel attacked a Beirut suburb, Hadat. This airstrike occurred after an evacuation call for residents living there. The Israeli army said it had identified Hezbollah “facilities” in Hadat that were suspected of being responsible for military activities. An AFP journalist reported noticeable smoke above a building after the attack. This marks the third Israeli airstrike on the southern suburbs of Beirut since a ceasefire came into force at the end of November 2023.

This ceasefire was the result of intense Hezbollah rocket fire on Israel that began with the start of the Gaza War in October 2023. According to the Israeli government, the number of attacks in Lebanon had previously increased dramatically, indicating the escalating situation in the region.

Conflict background

The current military clashes come in the context of a nearly year-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. According to DW's report, the conflict has increased in intensity since the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023. Hezbollah then began carrying out attacks as a show of solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. In October 2024, Israel initiated a ground offensive in southern Lebanon, which was accompanied by several Israeli airstrikes that specifically targeted military targets.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an airstrike, which did not prevent Hezbollah's leadership from continuing to carry out aggressive military actions. Despite these circumstances, Hezbollah's new leadership has confirmed that it will continue on its current course, which has led to ongoing military tensions and fighting. The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) has reportedly increased military operations in Lebanon in recent months to neutralize Hezbollah's military capabilities.

Humanitarian crisis and international responses

The ongoing conflicts have already led to massive humanitarian crises in Lebanon. Over 1.2 million people have been displaced from their homes while emergency shelters are overcrowded. The situation is extremely dire for Lebanon's civilian population, as more than 2,000 people have died since last year, while 34 people have lost their lives on the Israeli side.

The military operations are taking place against a backdrop of increasing international concern. Iran, an ally of Hezbollah, has directly intervened in the clashes by firing rockets from its territory into Israel. This development is escalating tensions in the region and the Israeli government has already threatened retaliation as the situation remains volatile.