BEIRUT — Israeli forces conducted airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut's southern suburbs on Sunday, hours before a planned signing of a U.S.-Iran agreement, officials from both sides said.
The Israeli military said the strikes targeted a Hezbollah command center in the Dahiyeh district in response to recent drone and rocket attacks from Lebanon toward northern Israel. Lebanese health authorities reported that the strikes killed three people and injured 16 others.
The action marked one of the first Israeli strikes on Beirut since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect earlier in the year. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated that the operation was a direct response to Hezbollah aggression.
Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, confirmed the strikes hit areas under its influence but did not immediately detail any retaliatory plans. The group has been engaged in cross-border exchanges with Israel amid the broader regional tensions.
The timing of the strikes coincides with intensive diplomatic efforts to finalize a U.S.-Iran agreement aimed at de-escalating conflicts in the region, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing related issues. U.S. President Donald Trump had indicated a signing could occur as early as this weekend, though Iranian officials have pushed back on the exact timeline.
"The strikes were precise and targeted terrorist infrastructure," an Israeli military spokesperson said. Details on the full extent of damage remain unclear, according to local reports.
Lebanese officials condemned the attacks as a violation of the ceasefire framework. Iran, a key supporter of Hezbollah, warned of potential repercussions while continuing negotiations with the United States through mediators including Pakistan and Qatar.
The incident comes amid ongoing efforts to stabilize the region following months of conflict involving Israel, Hezbollah and broader Iran-related tensions. Both Israeli and Lebanese sides reported heightened alerts in border areas, though full-scale escalation has been avoided so far.
As of Monday, no immediate further strikes were reported in Beirut. Diplomatic sources indicated that talks for the U.S.-Iran deal were continuing despite the developments, with a potential signing ceremony in Europe still under discussion. Additional details on casualties and the impact on negotiations were expected in coming hours.
