Massive Hezbollah rocket barrage shakes Tel Aviv as Israeli airstrike devastates Beirut

In a dramatic escalation of violence, Lebanon’s Hezbollah launched a heavy barrage of rockets into Israel on Sunday, striking residential areas near Tel Aviv. This came in direct retaliation for a powerful Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs, which killed at least 29 people the previous day. The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed that homes were destroyed or set ablaze, and minor injuries were reported among residents in the affected areas.

Television footage captured the chaos in the Petah Tikvah neighbourhood, where buildings were damaged by the precision missiles claimed by Hezbollah. The militant group announced that the attack was targeted at military installations near Tel Aviv, fulfilling its earlier promise to retaliate against Israeli strikes on Beirut. According to local police, multiple rockets penetrated Israel’s air defence system, leaving a trail of destruction and heightened tensions in the region.

Heightened conflict follows weeks of mounting hostilities

The conflict reached a boiling point after Israel intensified its bombardments in southern Beirut, targeting what it described as critical Hezbollah infrastructure. This marked one of the deadliest strikes in recent weeks, coinciding with ongoing U.S.-led efforts to broker a ceasefire. Israeli military officials described the campaign as a necessary response to the growing threat posed by Hezbollah, which has significantly expanded its arsenal in recent years.

While the conflict’s escalation underscores the fragile state of Lebanon’s internal security, experts note the broader geopolitical stakes. Regional analysts suggest that Hezbollah’s latest rocket assault is part of a calculated effort to demonstrate its military capabilities and maintain its influence amid mounting international scrutiny.

Civilian toll rises amid international calls for restraint

As the violence intensifies, civilian casualties continue to mount. In Beirut, families displaced by the airstrikes have sought refuge in safer regions, although many are grappling with limited access to basic necessities. Aid organisations operating in Lebanon have warned of a looming humanitarian crisis as infrastructure in Hezbollah-controlled areas faces severe damage.

Israel, for its part, has pointed to Hezbollah’s role in using civilian areas for military purposes, a claim consistently denied by the group. Diplomats in the region have voiced concerns over the potential for a broader regional conflict, urging both sides to exercise restraint. The European Union has also indicated readiness to support Lebanon’s embattled military, underscoring the critical need for stability in the region.

What’s next for ceasefire negotiations?

Despite the ongoing hostilities, efforts toward a ceasefire are continuing under the mediation of U.S. officials. However, both Israel and Hezbollah remain entrenched in their positions, casting doubt on the immediate prospects for peace. Military analysts believe that Israel’s strategy is aimed at diminishing Hezbollah’s operational strength, while Hezbollah is leveraging its missile attacks to assert its resilience and maintain its support base.

For residents in both Tel Aviv and Beirut, the conflict has brought daily life to a standstill, with heightened fear of further escalation. The stakes remain high as the region teeters on the brink of a prolonged and destabilising conflict.