Israel launches airstrikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon’s Dahiyeh

Israel Targets Hezbollah in Dahiyeh as Ceasefire Falters

Israel launches airstrikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon – The Israeli military executed air strikes against Hezbollah’s facilities in Dahiyeh, a Beirut neighborhood, signaling the first direct assault on the group’s core area since the April 16 ceasefire agreement. Though the truce was established, hostilities have continued in southern Lebanon, with Israel stating it is steadily weakening Hezbollah’s operations near the border. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has rejected any peace proposals linked to its disarmament, insisting Israel must pause its attacks and withdraw forces before negotiations can progress.

Retaliation and Evacuation Orders

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside his defense minister, affirmed that the Dahiyeh strikes were a response to recent Hezbollah attacks on Israeli territory. While no immediate injuries were reported, earlier intercepts confirmed two projectiles had crossed into Israeli airspace from Lebanon, prompting air raid alerts in Yiftah and Ramot Naftali. Hezbollah has yet to claim responsibility for these launches. In anticipation of further strikes, Israeli authorities issued evacuation advisories for Tyre and its surrounding areas on Sunday.

“I will not unfreeze Iranian assets or lift sanctions before a peace deal is reached,” said US President Donald Trump, emphasizing his stance on Iran. He added that Lebanon’s role in the agreement was not a strict requirement, stating he would evaluate financial relief measures after a final accord was finalized.

Regionally, Iran has framed the Lebanese ceasefire as a critical step for broader peace talks with the United States, positioning it as a non-negotiable condition. Hezbollah officially joined the conflict on March 2, justifying its involvement as a reaction to the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, which ignited a larger crisis in Lebanon. Over a million people have been displaced, and thousands have lost their lives in the ongoing turmoil.

Even prior to March 2, Israel maintained its military operations in Lebanon despite a previous ceasefire brokered in November 2024. The country insists its targets are exclusively Hezbollah personnel and equipment. The recent escalation between the US and Iran has intensified regional tensions, with fresh confrontations breaking out after weeks of rising hostilities. This has stalled efforts toward an interim peace deal, as the two sides remain locked in a parallel ceasefire standoff.

US-Iran Tensions Escalate

Following heightened hostilities, US Central Command announced the downing of two Iranian one-way attack drones Sunday, which were targeting international shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz. The incident followed a significant missile barrage on Friday, where six projectiles aimed at Bahrain and Kuwait were intercepted, and another missile failed mid-flight. These strikes came hours after Centcom had neutralized four unmanned aerial vehicles heading toward Hormuz.

In retaliation, the US military targeted Iranian coastal radar sites in Goruk and Qeshm Island. Washington also explored using frozen Iranian assets to aid Gulf allies recovering from Tehran’s actions and to support reconstruction initiatives. However, the stalled negotiations over the $24 billion asset freeze risk further delaying diplomatic progress, potentially hindering future discussions on Iran’s nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.