Israel Drops Leaflets on Beirut with Reminders of Gaza War

On March 12, 2026, a house in the suburbs of Tel Aviv, central Israel, was damaged in an air attack. Hezbollah, a group coordinating attacks with Iran, claimed responsibility for the rocket strike. The group stated that the attack targeted an Israeli military intelligence base. Hezbollah cited the action as retaliation for prior US and Israeli attacks on Iran. NewsFeedVideo captured footage of the damaged residence.

Tensions escalated between Israel and Hezbollah as Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets and drones at northern Israel on Wednesday night, injuring two. The attack, coordinated with Iranian missiles, marked the most intense assault by Hezbollah in the recent conflict. Israel responded with heavy bombardments of Beirut's southern suburbs and southern Lebanon, resulting in casualties and significant damage, including a strike in central Beirut that killed at least seven. The coordinated attack by Hezbollah and Iran, targeting over 50 locations in Israel, is a major escalation in the ongoing conflict, making Lebanon the most intense site of fighting in the region. The fighting is part of a larger war in Iran launched by Israel and the US two weeks prior.

Hezbollah, backed by Iran, launched approximately 200 missiles and drones into Israel, prompting retaliatory strikes by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) against Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut suburbs. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attacks, codenamed "Eaten Straw," targeting Israeli military sites. The IDF stated it would not tolerate harm to Israeli civilians and would respond forcefully to any threats. Tensions have been rising as Hezbollah rearms and resists US-backed ceasefire efforts. Israel's U.N. Ambassador urged Lebanon to restrain Hezbollah or face Israeli action to dismantle the organization. The Lebanese government has expressed interest in direct talks with Israel, but an Israeli official claimed Beirut was not affecting Hezbollah’s behavior.

On March 12, 2026, an Israeli strike on Beirut's beachfront resulted in at least eight deaths and dozens of injuries, according to the Lebanese health ministry. The attack targeted an area where displaced families were sheltering in cars and tents. The location was being used as temporary housing due to ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The incident occurred amidst escalating tensions between the two groups. The reason for the specific targeting of the beachfront area remains unclear.

On March 10, 2026, an Israeli air strike heavily damaged a building in the Tyre district of southern Lebanon. The strike occurred as Israeli forces continued attacks across the area. According to the Israeli army, the target was Hezbollah military infrastructure. The army has issued warnings to residents south of the Litani river, advising them to evacuate the area. The ongoing attacks and warnings suggest a continued escalation of conflict in the region.

Amidst escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the disarmament of Hezbollah has been sidelined. Fighting resumed after Hezbollah launched attacks on an Israeli military site in response to the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, prompting a fierce Israeli air campaign and ground incursion into Lebanon. The renewed hostilities are complicating the Lebanese government's efforts to disarm Hezbollah, a key condition of a 2024 ceasefire agreement. Analysts suggest that resolving the issue of Hezbollah's role in Lebanon is unlikely before the end of the war, especially considering the potential impact on the Lebanese Armed Forces and the broader US and Israeli conflict with Iran. The ongoing fighting has resulted in significant casualties and displacement in Lebanon.

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified, drawing Lebanon further into the Middle East conflict. Over the past week, nearly 700,000 people in Lebanon have been displaced due to escalating hostilities. As of Monday, Lebanese authorities report nearly 500 deaths in Lebanon from the Israeli offensive, with the death toll rising daily. Israel has targeted Hezbollah-controlled areas, including Beirut's southern suburbs and financial institutions allegedly run by the group. In response, Hezbollah has fired missiles into Israel, reaching as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, triggering air raid sirens and interception blasts. The conflict was ignited after Hezbollah opened fire to avenge the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, prompting the Israeli offensive.

Lebanon's President Aoun has proposed direct negotiations with Israel to end the escalating conflict with Hezbollah. The proposal, presented during a virtual meeting with EU officials, includes a truce, Hezbollah's disarmament, and international support for the Lebanese Armed Forces to regain control of tense areas. Aoun criticized Hezbollah for acting against Lebanon's interests and dragging the country into a wider regional war, accusing the group of prioritizing its own agenda over the well-being of the Lebanese people. He highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict, with hundreds killed and over 700,000 displaced. While Lebanon is ready to negotiate, it insists on a cessation of Israeli fire. Israeli officials have not yet commented on the proposal.

Human Rights Watch reported that the Israeli military "unlawfully" used white phosphorus shells in Yohmor, a village in southern Lebanon. The organization verified seven images showing artillery fire containing the controversial incendiary munition being used in residential areas. The incident occurred hours after the Israeli military warned residents of Yohmor and other southern Lebanese villages to evacuate. Human Rights Watch could not confirm if any residents remained in the area or if anyone was injured. While the Israeli military has not yet commented, it has previously stated that it uses white phosphorus as a smoke screen, not to target civilians. Human rights advocates contend that using white phosphorus in populated areas violates international law due to its potential to cause severe burns and fires.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that Israel unlawfully used white phosphorus in populated areas of southern Lebanon in early March 2026. According to HRW's report released on Monday, verified images show white phosphorus munitions fired over Yohmor, a residential area, on March 3, causing fires in at least two homes. HRW stated that the use of airburst white phosphorus in populated areas violates international humanitarian law because it is indiscriminate and fails to take necessary precautions to avoid civilian harm. The organization confirmed the authenticity of images showing artillery-delivered white phosphorus munitions exploding over the residential neighborhood. HRW emphasized the dire consequences for civilians due to the incendiary effects of white phosphorus.

On March 9, 2026, Israel struck branches of Al-Qard al-Hasan, a Hezbollah-affiliated financial institution, in Beirut, Lebanon. The strikes targeted locations in Bir al-Abed, along the road to the airport, and near Nouairi. Al-Qard al-Hasan, under US sanctions since 2007, operates outside the Lebanese financial system, providing interest-free loans. Lebanese authorities blocked roads near the Nouairi branch, a densely populated area hosting displaced people. These strikes occurred after forced evacuation warnings last week in southern Lebanon, which have displaced almost 8 percent of the country's population. The Lebanese president has expressed readiness to resume negotiations to halt the escalation.

Thousands of families were forced to flee their homes in the southern outskirts of Beirut as Israel launched heavy strikes on Hezbollah militant groups overnight. The residents, who had been warned of an impending attack, quickly left their homes and sought shelter elsewhere. Many are now facing a difficult situation with nowhere to go, highlighting the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. The Israeli strikes occurred in response to ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Beirut's southern outskirts have seen significant displacement as families attempt to escape the violence. The exact number of displaced individuals is not yet known.

In Beirut, Lebanon, thousands of people have been displaced following Israeli forced evacuation orders and bombings. The events, reported on March 6, 2026, have resulted in many individuals sleeping on the streets of Beirut. The evacuations and bombings targeted the southern suburbs of Beirut, an area identified as a stronghold of Hezbollah. Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr is reporting from Beirut on the situation and its impact on the local population. The forced displacement is a direct consequence of Israel's actions in the region.

Israeli troops are pushing further into Lebanon near the northern border, engaging in machine-gun fire and airstrikes against Hezbollah. This follows a military build-up that includes tanks and armored bulldozers, raising speculation of a full-scale ground invasion. Israel has issued a large evacuation order for southern Lebanon, aiming to disarm Hezbollah, who joined the war alongside Iran and have been launching rockets and drones at northern Israel. The IDF Chief of Staff has stated the objective is disarming Hezbollah, and they are prepared to move as deep as needed, potentially reaching the Litani River. Israel's opposition leader has suggested creating a "sterile zone" in southern Lebanon.

Residents of Dahieh, a southern Beirut suburb, have left their homes due to evacuation orders and ongoing air strikes by Israel. The area is considered a Hezbollah stronghold. People are sleeping in tents and cars as they await further instructions. The exact timing of the evacuations is not specified. The situation has been ongoing for some time, with residents forced to flee their homes amidst the conflict. The reasons behind the evacuation orders remain unclear, but it is believed to be related to the ongoing air strikes by Israel.

Following a large displacement order from the Israeli army, over 500,000 people fled the southern suburbs of Beirut on Friday due to intensified Israeli bombing. The order, impacting an area the size of lower Manhattan, followed a previous order displacing residents from the entire region south of the Litani River. The Lebanese government reported that shelters in Beirut were full, directing evacuees to seek refuge further north. The mass exodus was triggered by Israeli airstrikes in response to Hezbollah launching rockets at Israel, marking a return to war for Lebanon. Residents were forced to leave their homes with few belongings, as the Israeli military expanded the areas under evacuation orders.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced they dismantled an underground military bunker in Tehran, built by former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to the IDF, the compound served as a base for advancing military activities against Israel and the West. The bunker, located beneath Tehran, contained multiple entrances and meeting rooms. Khamenei and other regime leaders were situated directly above the fortified compound when almost 50 of them were killed during Operation Epic Fury. Khamenei, who had ruled Iran for over 30 years, was killed on the first day of the operation. The strike followed an Israeli-American deception plan, which included misleading messaging to suggest no immediate action was planned.

As Israel intensifies its strikes on Lebanon, thousands of Syrian refugees who had sought safety there are now fleeing back to Syria. These individuals, who previously considered Lebanon a refuge from the Syrian war, are now returning due to the escalating violence. According to one refugee, the decision to leave was driven by fear. The movement highlights the instability in the region and the limited options available to those displaced by conflict. The exact number of returning refugees and the specific areas they are fleeing from in Lebanon are not detailed in the provided information.

On March 4, 2026, an Israeli air attack struck the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, while Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr was delivering a live report. The attack is part of a larger Israeli campaign targeting what it identifies as Hezbollah infrastructure. Since the beginning of the Israeli strikes on Monday, at least 50 people have been killed in Lebanon. The strikes are ongoing as of the time of the report. The specific targets within the southern suburbs of Beirut were not detailed in the provided information.

The Israeli military has ordered civilians in a large area of southern Lebanon to evacuate north of the Litani River due to planned military action against Hezbollah. This order comes amidst escalating hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed group, with Israel initiating a wave of strikes in the south. Tens of thousands of Lebanese civilians have already been displaced since the recent surge in fighting. Displaced individuals are fleeing from southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Beirut, seeking refuge in shelters, roadsides, and parks, with concerns rising about the capacity to meet the growing demand for aid. The escalation follows Hezbollah's rocket and drone attacks on Israel, which were a response to US and Israeli strikes.

A leaked US embassy cable reveals that Israel expressed concerns about Hezbollah's growing military capabilities and the Lebanese state's inability to disarm the group before launching airstrikes in Lebanon. The cable, sent to Washington a day before joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, indicated Israel's distrust of both Beirut and Damascus in containing the threat on its northern border. It also highlighted Israeli concerns about Turkish military presence in Syria and alleged anti-Israel incitement by Turkish officials. The cable served as a briefing for the US Secretary of State before a cancelled trip to Israel and was written under the direction of the US ambassador, Mike Huckabee, whose controversial remarks about Israel seizing territory had sparked diplomatic backlash. The airstrikes against Hezbollah-dominated areas in southern Beirut began three days after the cable was sent.

On March 3, 2026, Israel escalated its strikes in Beirut, targeting what it described as Hezbollah-controlled areas in the southern suburbs. The Israeli bombardment resulted in clouds of smoke rising over the affected region. Al Jazeera reported that thousands of people have been displaced due to new forced evacuation orders issued by Israel. The strikes and evacuations are taking place amidst reports of Hezbollah launching drones at Israel. The reason for the escalation is related to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Hezbollah has fired rockets from Lebanon into Israel for a second day, prompting a strong Israeli response, including air strikes and troop deployments to southern Lebanon. The conflict has drawn Lebanon into the war between the US, Israel, and Iran. At least 30,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon, according to the UN. Hezbollah's actions were largely symbolic, but Israel's retaliation came with force. The Lebanese government has announced a ban on Hezbollah's military activities and demanded the group hand over its weapons to the state. Hezbollah reportedly launched rockets and drones into Israel to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader, sparking widespread condemnation from many Lebanese who view the group as out of touch with public opinion.

In March 2026, escalating conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel has spread across multiple fronts. The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia was hit by Iranian drones amidst increasing attacks on Iran by the US and Israel. Strikes occurred across Tehran, while Israel conducted a targeted attack on Hezbollah members in Beirut and southern Lebanon. During an Iranian air assault, three US fighter jets were mistakenly downed by Kuwaiti fire. Protests in support of Iran took place in Baghdad. The conflict has resulted in casualties and widespread damage in the region.

Following drone attacks on U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the U.S. State Department has closed its embassies in those two countries. The State Department also issued an urgent advisory, recommending that American citizens immediately depart from 14 unspecified countries. These actions come as tensions escalate in the region, with Iran reportedly increasing retaliatory measures. Simultaneously, the Israeli military announced it has seized additional territory in Lebanon amidst ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran. The closures and travel advisory highlight growing concerns about the safety of American personnel and citizens in the Middle East.