Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on southern Beirut late Sunday, marking the first major attack on the Lebanese capital since a US-brokered ceasefire took effect last week. The strikes hit two residential buildings in the Dahieh district, a stronghold of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.

Lebanon's health ministry reported at least two people killed and more than 20 wounded, including women and children. Social media footage showed crowds rushing to the scene to help the injured amid widespread panic.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes targeted "terrorist headquarters" in response to Hezbollah's rocket fire into Israeli territory. An Israeli army spokesman warned further attacks were coming, posting "To be continued" on X.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for rocket barrages against Israeli positions, saying they were retaliation for Israeli violations of the ceasefire and attacks on southern Lebanese villages. The group's leader, Naim Qassem, reiterated that disarmament would mean fulfilling "the enemy's objectives."

The attack comes amid heightened tensions after Iran launched missiles at Israel on Sunday night, which Tehran said was a response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Ebrahim Rezaie, a spokesman for the Iranian parliament's national security committee, promised "a decisive and painful response" to the Beirut attack.

The US-brokered ceasefire, which has been repeatedly violated by both sides, is now in jeopardy. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri rejected the deal as a "trap" because it does not address Israeli withdrawal from occupied southern Lebanon. President Donald Trump said he was not demanding Lebanon be part of any peace deal with Iran, further complicating diplomatic efforts.

Source: www.bbc.com