Israel destroys river bridges in southern Lebanon

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.

On March 11, 2026, Israeli air strikes hit residential areas in Beirut's southern suburbs. According to Israel, the strikes targeted Hezbollah. This occurred amidst an ongoing war with Iran. The conflict has resulted in the forced displacement of 700,000 people. The specific reasons for the strikes were not detailed beyond Israel's claim of targeting Hezbollah. The strikes added to the already significant humanitarian crisis caused by the war.

An Israeli strike on a Beirut hotel killed at least four people and wounded ten others on Sunday, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Israel stated the strike targeted commanders from Iran's Revolutionary Guards. The strike occurred in central Beirut, hitting a hotel room. This incident follows increased Israeli strikes across Lebanon and ground troop movements into border areas this week. Lebanon was drawn into the conflict after Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Israeli military announced additional strikes targeting Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut's southern suburbs.

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.

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.

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.

The Israeli military ordered the evacuation of over 500,000 residents from Beirut's southern suburbs. This order was issued as Israel continued bombing Lebanon and Iran, while Tehran launched retaliatory strikes against Israel and US bases in the region. The IDF spokesperson cited imminent airstrikes targeting Hezbollah, as the reason for the evacuation. The evacuation order encompasses a large area, including hospitals and government ministries within Beirut's southern suburbs. The directive urged residents to evacuate immediately to save their lives. These actions are part of the escalating Middle East crisis.

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.

A video verified by the BBC appears to show an F-15 fighter jet crashing to the ground near Kuwait City. The footage was filmed from the west of the city, on the edge of the Al Jahra area. US Central Command later confirmed that three US F-15 jets went down due to "an apparent friendly fire incident". All six crew members ejected safely and are in stable condition. The incident occurred in an unspecified location near Kuwait City, with no further details provided.

In March 2026, the Lebanese government, led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, announced a ban on Hezbollah's military and security activities. This decision followed Hezbollah's attack on Israel's Ramat Airbase and military facilities in the Golan Heights, which the group claimed was retaliation for the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader and Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Analysts suggest the ban, while difficult to enforce, could significantly impact Lebanon's future, potentially consolidating security under government control. While some Shia groups support the decision as a means of stabilizing the state, experts express concern about the army's reluctance to confront Hezbollah and the potential for internal conflict. The ban occurs against the backdrop of escalating regional tensions, including a US and Israeli offensive against 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.