Lebanon thought there was a ceasefire – then Israel unleashed deadly blitz

Lebanon thought there was a ceasefire – then Israel unleashed deadly blitz

Lebanon’s hopes of a pause in the conflict were shattered when Israeli jets launched a 10-minute aerial assault, killing at least 203 people and wounding over 1,000, according to the country’s health ministry. The attack occurred shortly after US President Donald Trump declared a two-week ceasefire to halt the Middle East war, but Israel’s strike left the region reeling. Local and international voices condemned the assault, though the US offered no rebuke of its ally’s actions.

The War’s Origins

The conflict began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February, prompting retaliation from Tehran against Gulf allies and attacks from Iran’s proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. In response, Israel targeted Hezbollah, deploying troops into significant parts of Lebanon. The latest ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was meant to freeze hostilities everywhere, including Lebanon. However, the Israeli government clarified the deal did not cover Lebanon, citing Hezbollah as the reason.

Iran’s Condemnation and Lebanon’s Losses

Iran called the attack a “grave violation” of the ceasefire and urged the US to halt Israeli aggression. Lebanese officials noted that over 1,700 people have been killed since Israel’s recent campaign began. The IDF claimed it executed “the largest coordinated strike across Lebanon since Operation Roaring Lion,” targeting 100+ Hezbollah headquarters and command centers in Beirut, Bekaa, and southern regions. Densely populated areas in central Beirut, including the city center, bore the brunt of the assault, which came without warning.

Immediate Fallout

Hours after the strike, Hezbollah responded with rockets toward Israel, but the damage was already done. The attack in Tallet el Khayat, a affluent western Beirut neighborhood, destroyed a 10-storey residential building, leaving little to salvage. Civil defense teams are now combing through debris, though many remain uncertain about the fate of missing loved ones. Ziad Samir Itani, leading the teams, said the event was “new to Beirut,” noting exhaustion from over six weeks of relentless Israeli attacks.

“This is something like normal, but for us, it’s a new level of devastation,” said Itani.

Uncertain Ceasefire

Pakistan is set to host talks on Friday, with the US and Iran’s plans as potential starting points. Iran’s proposal demands an end to hostilities on all fronts, including against Lebanon’s resistance. Trump reiterated that Lebanon was excluded from the ceasefire “because of Hezbollah,” framing the conflict as a “separate skirmish.” Despite the US’s support for Israel, the attack has sparked questions about the deal’s effectiveness and the true scope of the war.