Moment building in Beirut southern suburbs was targeted by Israeli strike

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) has accused Israel of extending its "Gaza playbook" to Lebanon, following intensified Israeli military actions in the country in March 2026. The charity alleges that Israel is employing tactics of collective punishment, forced displacement, and the deliberate terrorizing of civilian populations. These accusations come after Israel issued forced displacement orders for southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut, prompting tens of thousands to flee. The increased fighting between Israel and Hezbollah began after the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader, leading to rocket launches from Lebanon towards Israel. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, at least 217 people have been killed and 798 wounded in Israeli attacks across Lebanon since the renewed conflict began.

Israel has intensified its strikes on Hezbollah in Beirut, Lebanon, resulting in thousands fleeing the capital. These represent the heaviest attacks on Beirut since the 2024 war. Simultaneously, Israel reported striking targets in Tehran, Iran. Israeli air defenses were also engaged in intercepting newly launched missiles originating from Iran. The escalation follows ongoing tensions between Israel and the Iran-backed militia, Hezbollah. The reasons for the strikes and missile launches are rooted in the existing conflict between the two entities and their allies.

As of March 6, 2026, the death toll in Lebanon from Israeli attacks this week has risen to 123, with 683 wounded, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. Israel has launched air strikes on towns in southern and eastern Lebanon, including Srifa, Aita al-Shaab, and Douris. Hezbollah has responded by urging Israelis to evacuate towns within 5km of the northern border, following Israeli threats to residents of Beirut's southern suburbs. The Israeli army claims to have conducted 26 rounds of attacks in Dahiyeh, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. These events are occurring amidst the wider United States-Israel war on Iran.

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 United Nations called for urgent legal investigations into Israeli strikes in Lebanon on Friday, March 6, 2026, amid mass displacement of civilians. A UN rights office spokeswoman cited the "devastating impact" on civilians and urged de-escalation. Israeli strikes and ground incursions, along with displacement orders, are causing increased suffering. Lebanon's Prime Minister warned of a looming humanitarian disaster due to the large number of people fleeing their homes. The UN is seeking to determine if the strikes adhere to international law, as the conflict threatens to escalate further.

On March 3, 2026, Israel launched strikes on Beirut, Lebanon, specifically targeting what it described as a "Hezbollah area" in the city's southern suburbs. According to Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr, the attacks occurred as Israeli forces advanced further into southern Lebanon. This military action has expanded a de facto buffer zone within Lebanese territory. The Israeli advance has reportedly displaced tens of thousands of people. The reason for the strikes and ground advancement was not explicitly stated in the provided information.

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.

Israeli troops entered southern Lebanon on Tuesday amid ongoing strikes against Hezbollah. The Israeli military also conducted airstrikes in Beirut, targeting areas including the Al-Manar channel studios and a building in the southern suburbs. Hezbollah has stated it is ready for "open war." The strikes have caused damage and civilian displacement, with people fleeing southern Lebanon towards Syria. The Israeli military said it conducted a "targeted attack" on senior Hezbollah members in Beirut and southern Lebanon on Monday.

A drone strike caused a limited fire near the US consulate in Dubai on Tuesday, which has been extinguished. Dubai authorities confirmed the incident and stated that emergency teams responded immediately, reporting no injuries. A US official and Dubai's government media office told the Wall Street Journal that the drone struck the consulate's parking lot. The incident follows a drone strike on the US embassy in Saudi Arabia on Monday and the closure of the US embassy in Kuwait on Tuesday. The US State Department is working to help Americans in the Middle East leave, identifying charter, military, and expanded commercial flight options.

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.

On March 2, 2026, Israel bombed the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon. This action followed a rocket attack by Hezbollah on northern Israel. Hezbollah's attack was reportedly in retaliation for the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. The Israeli strikes on Beirut were described as heavy. The events signal an escalation of conflict in the region following Khamenei's death.

A US-Israeli war against Iran began on Saturday with bombing and missile attacks, escalating into a regional conflict. The initial strikes, dubbed Operation Lion's Roar by Israel and Operation Epic Fury by the US, targeted key security and political sites in Tehran and other Iranian cities, reportedly killing at least 555 people. Iran retaliated with strikes across the Middle East, leading to Israeli bombings in Lebanon after Hezbollah attacks. Cyprus also reported a drone attack on a British base. The UK, France, and Germany have expressed readiness to counter Iranian attacks. Civilian casualties are likely as security institutions are located in residential areas, and authorities have instructed citizens to flee major cities.

Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli outlined a U.S.-Israeli mission in Iran with two main goals: removing existential threats and creating conditions for regime change. The immediate threat includes destroying Iranian ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israeli cities. While the IDF and U.S. Army won't replace the regime, the mission aims to empower the Iranian people to "regain their freedom." Former President Trump encouraged Iranians to take over their government after U.S. and Israeli military operations conclude. A U.S. official confirmed that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an Israeli strike in Tehran as part of "Operation Epic Fury." Chikli envisions an Iran aligned with the West, potentially becoming an ally to Israel, the U.S., and other nations in the region.

On March 1, 2026, the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, prompting retaliatory missile and drone strikes by Iran against Israel and US military bases in the Middle East. Iran targeted 27 bases where US troops are deployed and Israeli military facilities. Strikes by Iran have impacted eight countries in the region: Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, with most being intercepted. Preliminary casualty figures indicate 201 deaths and 747 injuries in Iran, and at least nine deaths and 121 injuries in Israel. The attacks follow Iran's warning that it would target US facilities in the region if attacked.

On Saturday, the US and Israel launched attacks across Iran, reportedly resulting in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the destruction of his compound in Tehran. US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the strikes. In response, Iran launched missiles and drones towards Israel and four Gulf Arab countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE – which host US military bases. Iranian state media confirmed Khamenei's death following the US-Israel attack. The reasons behind the initial US-Israel strikes were not explicitly stated in the provided article.

Following an attack on Iran by the United States and Israel, several Middle Eastern countries, including Israel, the UAE, Qatar, and Syria, closed their airspace, disrupting air travel across the region and beyond. Over 3,400 flights were canceled on Sunday across seven airports, including major hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Manama, leaving thousands of travelers stranded or diverted. Emirates Airlines and Qatar Airways suspended flights, and Israeli airline El Al prepared to repatriate stranded citizens. Airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi reported injuries and fatalities from attacks, while Kuwait International Airport also reported strikes. The UAE condemned the attacks, attributing them to Iranian ballistic missiles, though Iran did not publicly claim responsibility.

On March 1, 2026, air traffic in the Middle East experienced significant disruption. According to Flightradar24, over 3,400 flights were canceled within the preceding 48 hours. The cancellations affected seven airports across the region. Airports impacted included those located in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. The reason for the widespread flight cancellations was not specified in the report.

Airspace closures across the Middle East, triggered by attacks between America/Israel and Iran, caused widespread flight disruptions, stranding or diverting hundreds of thousands of travelers. Several countries, including Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain, closed their airspace, leading to the suspension of operations at key international airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. Major airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad cancelled thousands of flights, impacting an estimated 90,000 passengers daily passing through these hubs. Over 3,400 flights were cancelled across seven major Middle Eastern airports on Sunday. Some airports and landmarks in the region sustained damage, resulting in injuries and at least one reported death. The closure of Iranian airspace was extended until Tuesday morning.

Dubai residents and tourists were shaken when Iranian missiles and drones approached the Gulf states over the weekend, triggering air defenses in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. Many initially mistook the interceptors for fireworks, as Dubai attempted to maintain its image of stability amidst regional conflict. While some residents received official alerts, others were caught off guard. Fires and smoke were reported at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports due to drone debris, resulting in one death and several injuries. Smoke was also seen at the Jebel Ali port area in Dubai, one of the busiest ports in the Middle East. The incident challenged Dubai's long-held perception as a safe haven insulated from regional political turmoil.

On February 28, 2026, Qatar reported that eight people were injured by falling missile shrapnel after Iran fired 66 missiles at the country. Qatari authorities stated that their air defenses intercepted the missiles, but 114 reports of falling shrapnel were received nationwide. The Qatari Interior Ministry issued warnings urging residents to stay indoors and avoid military sites or unidentified debris. Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Iranian missile strikes as a violation of its sovereignty and a threat to regional stability, reserving the right to respond under international law.

On February 28, 2026, Iran reportedly struck a United States military base in Bahrain. This attack followed joint Israel-US attacks within Iran. News reports included video footage showing smoke plumes rising after the strike. Two missiles were reportedly intercepted over Qatar. Explosions were also reportedly heard in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. The reason for the attacks was not explicitly stated in the provided information.

Iran launched missiles and drones targeting Israel and US military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar in response to recent attacks by the US and Israel. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated the action was in defense of the homeland. The UAE and Iraq closed their airspace, and shrapnel from an Iranian missile killed one person in the UAE. Israel issued a nationwide warning and activated its missile defense systems to intercept incoming projectiles. There were initially few reports of damage or injuries in Israel.

The US and Israel have launched a joint military attack on Iran, with explosions reported in Tehran near the supreme leader's office. President Trump declared the start of "major combat operations" and called for regime change, urging Iranians to overthrow their government. In response, Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US military bases across the Middle East, with explosions reported in multiple countries. Both Israel and Iran have closed their airspace to civilian flights. The US and Israel claim the attack was a pre-emptive strike against Iranian threats and are encouraging a popular uprising against the Iranian government.

Following reported strikes in Iran by the US and Israel, Australia's National Security Committee is convening. Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated Australia was not informed in advance of the strikes and has updated travel advice for Israel, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. A crisis center has been activated to provide consular support to Australians in the region, and a registration portal has opened for Australians in Iran and Israel. Wong emphasized Iran's destabilizing role in the region and stated that Australia did not participate in the strikes. The Australian government advises Australians in the affected region to follow travel advice and seek safety, acknowledging potential difficulties with repatriation due to airspace closures.

Following Israeli and US airstrikes on Iran, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (Dfat) has warned Australians of potential "reprisal attacks and further escalation" across the Middle East. Dfat updated its Smartraveller website, advising against travel to Iran and urging those in the country to leave if safe, citing the risk of military conflict and potential airspace closures impacting global flights. Australians remaining in Iran are advised to prepare to shelter in place with adequate supplies. The Australian embassy's operations in Iran are suspended. Prior to the attacks, Australia had already advised citizens in Israel and Lebanon to consider leaving and withdrew dependents of officials from Israel and Lebanon due to the deteriorating security situation.