Israeli jets bombed Lebanon's capital, Beirut, after Hezbollah launched what it said was a rocket and drone attack against a military base near Haifa in northern Israel.
The Iran-allied Lebanese group stated that its attack was in retaliation for the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, describing it as "in defense of Lebanon and its people" and a response to repeated Israeli aggressions.
"The resistance leadership has always affirmed that continued Israeli attacks and the assassination of our leaders and people give us the right to defend ourselves and respond at the appropriate time and place," the group said, referring to near-daily Israeli strikes on Lebanon. "The Israeli enemy cannot continue its 15-month-long aggression without a warning response to halt this aggression and withdraw from occupied Lebanese territories."
The violence represents a major escalation in what is becoming a regional conflict between the United States and Israel on one side, and Iran and its allies on the other.
Hezbollah, which operates independently from the Lebanese government, was weakened during the 2024 war, in which Israel killed most of its military and political leaders. It is unclear how much damage the group can inflict on Israel or whether its intervention can significantly alter the regional balance of power for Iran.
#LEBANON: Destruction in Dahieh, southern suburbs of Beirut, following the Israeli strikes.
— Jack Straw (@JackStr42679640) March 2, 2026
Israel is using the momentum from the Iranian attack to justify expanding its military operations and flattening everything in its neighborhood, pursuing broader objectives it has long… pic.twitter.com/MmSaKLyTtI
Israel responded quickly with airstrikes in southern Beirut. Reports also indicated Israeli attacks on several villages in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley in the east. The Israeli military said it was "vigorously attacking Hezbollah" throughout Lebanon.
Early Monday, Israeli warplanes carried out intensive strikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, hours after rockets were fired from Lebanese territory toward Israel, according to local channel al-Jadeed. The strikes targeted Dahieh, a Hezbollah stronghold, prompting residents to flee amid fears of further escalation. Ambulances rushed to evacuate casualties, though no official toll was immediately available.
Hezbollah said it targeted the Mishmar HaCarmel missile defense site south of Haifa with advanced rockets and drones in retaliation for Khamenei's killing in joint Israeli-US strikes.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the rocket attack, warning against dragging the country into further conflict. "We will not allow Lebanon to be drawn into new adventures and will take the necessary measures to apprehend those responsible and protect the people," he said, adding that the attack endangers Lebanon's security and provides Israel with pretexts to continue its strikes.
The Hezbollah attack triggered air raid sirens in Haifa, the Upper Galilee, and the Golan Heights. The Israeli military said some projectiles were intercepted, while others fell in open areas. No casualties have been reported so far.
