Israel struck Beirut’s southern suburbs without warning on Sunday, days after a ceasefire agreement in Washington went into effect and despite a U.S. request not to attack Lebanon ‘s capital. Lebanon’s state-run national news agency said two people were killed and 11 wounded in a preliminary count.
Iran had warned that an attack on Beirut would renew full-scale war across the Mideast, even as Pakistan tries to restart talks between Tehran and Washington. Iran wants a deal to include ending the war in Lebanon.
There was no immediate White House comment. The strike hit a residential building, damaging four of its seven floors. An unexploded weapon was found in the rubble.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the strikes were in retaliation for the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group firing at northern Israel earlier, and that the attacks targeted “command centers” in the sprawling urban neighborhoods.
“We are striking them very hard, and we know that Hezbollah is on the run,” Netanyahu told his Cabinet.
Hezbollah did not immediately claim responsibility for firing at Israel.
