Netanyahu orders strikes on Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut’s Dahiyeh District

Middle East

JERUSALEM, Israel (NPA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to carry out strikes on Hezbollah targets in the Dahiyeh district of Beirut, citing what he described as repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement by the Lebanese armed group.

Dahiyeh, located in southern Beirut, is widely regarded as Hezbollah’s political, social and military stronghold.

In a statement issued on Monday, Netanyahu said the action was taken in response to ongoing attacks against Israeli communities and citizens.

“Following the repeated and ongoing violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon by the terrorist organisation Hezbollah and the attacks against our cities and citizens, I have instructed the IDF to strike terrorist targets in the Dahiyeh neighbourhood in Beirut,” he said.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz also confirmed the directive, saying the military operation was intended to target Hezbollah positions in the area.

The latest development comes amid heightened tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, where exchanges of fire and accusations of ceasefire violations have continued despite diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider conflict.

Katz also disclosed that Israeli forces had expanded military operations in southern Lebanon and captured the strategic Beaufort ridge, a prominent hilltop position overlooking parts of the border region.

According to the defence minister, the operation involved troops from the Golani Brigade, who raised Israeli and brigade flags on the ridge after securing the position.

He described the location as a key strategic asset for protecting communities in northern Israel and supporting military operations in the area.

Katz warned that Israel would continue to target what it considers strategic assets of hostile groups threatening its security. “This is a clear message to our enemies: whoever threatens Israeli citizens will lose their strategic assets one after another,” he said.

The defence minister added that military operations against Hezbollah would continue until Israel achieves its stated objective of restoring security to residents of the country’s northern region.

The announcement is expected to raise concerns about a possible escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which have been engaged in periodic cross-border confrontations since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict, spilling into the United States, Israel, and Iran’s war.