Beirut: Israeli forces carried out extensive air and artillery strikes across Lebanon, targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut and multiple towns in the country’s south and Bekaa Valley, according to Lebanese media reports.
In the southern suburbs of the capital, airstrikes hit the neighbourhoods of Al-Jamous and Haret Hreik, as well as areas near Beirut’s international airport. In southern Lebanon, residential districts in towns including Al-Shaabiyah, Al-Sultaniyah, Adshit, Harouf, Toul and Al-Kfour were reportedly struck.
Additional strikes targeted homes and surrounding areas in Yaaroun, Aitaroun and Al-Khayam. Lebanese sources said an Israeli Apache helicopter opened fire on Yaaroun, while heavy artillery shelling pounded border areas.
Israeli authorities also reportedly issued warnings to residents in several towns across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, urging evacuations amid fears of further strikes.
Israeli warplanes were seen flying at low altitude over northern and western Bekaa regions, heightening tensions across the country.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah — the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon — said it launched a salvo of missiles and drones targeting the Mishmar HaCarmel air defence site south of Haifa late Sunday into early Monday. The group described the attack as retaliation for the killing of Iranian leader Ali Khamenei and in response to continued Israeli operations in Lebanon.
Iranian state media earlier reported that Ali Khamenei was killed in what Tehran described as a joint US-Israeli attack. A 40-day national mourning period has reportedly been declared in Iran.
The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on February 28, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that the operation aimed to counter what he termed an “existential threat” and reshape the region’s strategic landscape.
The strikes reportedly hit several major Iranian cities, including Tehran, Qom, Tabriz and Khorramshahr, prompting airspace closures in parts of the region.
Despite a previously announced ceasefire framework, Israeli air operations continued in southern Lebanon. Warplanes carried out raids on the Iqlim al-Tuffah and al-Rayhan heights, as well as the Barghaz Valley, according to local correspondents.
The escalation has raised fears of a broader regional conflict, as exchanges of fire intensify across multiple fronts.