Lebanon

Israel Strikes Beirut After Rocket Fire in First Attack on Capital Since Cease-fire Signed

MAR 28 2025·Updated MAR 30 2025

Story

Above: People gather at the site of an Israeli strike in southern Beirut on March 28, 2025. Image credit: Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

Israel launched an airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday in response to rocket fire into northern Israel. Hezbollah claimed that it was not responsible for launching the rockets, accusing Israel of looking for a pretext to attack Lebanon. Israel issued evacuation orders for the area.
ap
Al Jazeera
Timesofisrael
Israel alleged that the area housed a Hezbollah drone storage facility. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israel is "sending a clear message from here to the Lebanese government: If you do not enforce the ceasefire agreement, we will enforce it." Airstrikes across southern Lebanon were also reported.
ap
Timesofisrael
Middle East Eye
Toronto Star
Rockets were fired into northern Israel last week, with Hezbollah denying its involvement. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam urged the Lebanese army to find and arrest those responsible for the rocket fire. The Lebanese army found the launch site near Nabatieh in South Lebanon.
Alarabiya
Timesofisrael
The attack was Israel's first airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs since the cease-fire came into effect late last year.
Al Jazeera
CNN
The Jerusalem Post
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that the Lebanese government has been in contact with U.S. officials regarding the cease-fire. France, which helped mediate the cease-fire, condemned the strike, though the United States said it fully supported Israel's strikes in Lebanon.
CNN
The Jerusalem Post
Timesofisrael
As per the cease-fire agreement, both Israel and Hezbollah agreed to withdraw from South Lebanon to allow the Lebanese army to deploy to the area. However, Israeli forces continue to occupy five points along Lebanon's border, accusing Hezbollah of remaining in the south.
Middle East Eye
Timesofisrael

Sources Split

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The Spin

Pro-Israel narrative

Israel will not allow Hezbollah to threaten its communities in the north. Israel gave advanced warning for civilians to leave the area, targeting Hezbollah's military infrastructure. Terrorist groups like Hezbollah must understand that there is a new status quo in the region, and Israel will respond forcefully to any aggressive moves.

The Jerusalem Post

Narrative B

There is no evidence that Hezbollah was responsible for the rockets fired into northern Israel, and Israeli attacks on Lebanon are a blatant violation of the cease-fire and Lebanon's sovereignty. Indeed, these rocket attacks are simply a pretext for Israel to continue its aggression on Lebanon.