Lebanon declares Iranian ambassador persona non grata amid Israeli attacks

Israeli forces struck Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, on Monday, marking the first attack in days and claiming the capture of two Hezbollah members in southern Lebanon. Earlier, a strike hit Hazmieh, a Christian area near Beirut, targeting an alleged Iranian Revolutionary Guard member. The Israeli military stated it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut after urging residents to evacuate. These actions follow Hezbollah's rocket attacks on Israel, initiated on March 2, purportedly in response to the killing of Iran's supreme leader. Since then, Israel has launched strikes across Lebanon, resulting in at least 1,039 deaths and deploying ground troops into southern Lebanon.

On March 24, 2026, an Israeli strike on a residential building in Bchamoun, near Beirut, killed at least three people, including a young child, and wounded five others. The attack occurred as Israel intensified its attacks across Lebanon, prompting new evacuation threats in the south. According to Al Jazeera, the Israeli army claimed it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in the area, while the Lebanese Health Ministry reported targeted assassinations overnight in Beirut. The Israeli military stated it targeted members of Iran's Quds Force, a claim they have made previously. These attacks are part of a broader conflict that began after a Hezbollah cross-border attack on March 2, displacing over one million people.

Amidst reported talks of ending the war, Iran and Israel have exchanged strikes, with Iran targeting Israel and Gulf Arab states. On Tuesday, Iranian missiles struck a building in Tel Aviv, prompting a response from Israeli emergency services. Simultaneously, the Israeli military conducted overnight strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, claiming to target Hezbollah infrastructure. Earlier, a U.S.-Israeli strike hit a residential building in Tehran, Iran, on Monday. These events highlight the ongoing conflict and tensions in the region, despite claims of potential peace negotiations.

Lebanon has declared the Iranian ambassador persona non grata and demanded his departure by Sunday, while also recalling its ambassador from Tehran for consultations. The Lebanese Foreign Ministry cited Iran's violation of diplomatic norms as the reason for the action. This decision occurs amidst ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon, including air strikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon following a Hezbollah attack on March 2. The conflict, triggered by the US-Israel killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, has resulted in over 1,072 deaths, thousands injured, and the displacement of over 1.5 million Lebanese people. Israel claims to be targeting members of Iran's IRGC, while Iran states those killed were civilians.

Overnight Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon on March 15, 2026, resulted in the deaths of at least four people, according to Lebanese media and the Ministry of Health. One person was killed in Sidon, and three others in al-Qatrani. The Israeli military stated it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and launch sites in Lebanon, including al-Qatrani, and destroyed command centers in Beirut. The Israeli army issued immediate evacuation orders for residents in several Beirut neighborhoods, citing Hezbollah activities and threatening military action. Hezbollah also reported targeting Israeli troop positions near the border. These attacks occurred amidst ongoing efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

Tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated, marked by increased attacks on both sides. Israel intensified its military actions in Lebanon, conducting deadly strikes in Beirut and other cities targeting Hezbollah militants. This escalation follows the killing of an Iranian leader. In response, Iran launched missile strikes into Israel, near Tel Aviv, resulting in two fatalities. The exchange of attacks highlights a significant increase in direct confrontation between Israel and Iran, raising concerns about regional stability. The attacks occurred recently, with Israel's actions focused on Lebanon and Iran's strikes reaching into Israeli territory.

A ballistic missile strike, launched by Iran's Revolutionary Guard, hit Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv overnight Tuesday, killing two people. The attack, captured in video footage showing a fiery aftermath, was claimed as retaliation for the deaths of senior Iranian officials, including Ali Larijani. Iran stated it launched Khorramshahr-4 and Qadr missiles designed to evade defense systems. The strike is part of an escalating conflict that began after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. Israel has retaliated, and Iran has broadened its attacks to include targets in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain. The escalating conflict raises concerns about a regional war and potential disruptions to global energy supplies.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz claimed Israel killed Iran's intelligence minister, Esmaeil Khatib, which, if confirmed, would be the third high-profile assassination of Iranian leaders in two days. This follows the reported deaths of security chief Ali Larijani and Basij paramilitary head Gholamreza Soleimani in Israeli air strikes on Tuesday. Iran has not confirmed Khatib's death but will hold funerals for Larijani and Soleimani on Wednesday. Katz also announced that he and Prime Minister Netanyahu authorized the military to eliminate other senior Iranian officials without requiring further approval. The alleged assassinations come amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, with Iran launching a retaliatory missile attack on Israel.

On March 18, 2026, Iran confirmed the death of its national security chief, Ali Larijani, following an Israeli air strike. This comes less than three weeks after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes. Israel has vowed to "neutralize" the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. Larijani, a close confidant of the late Ayatollah, played a key role in Iran's retaliatory actions during the ongoing war in the Middle East. The assassination occurred amidst rising tensions, with Iran threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and the US criticizing allies for not assisting in escorting oil tankers.

According to Israeli national security sources, Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is not effectively controlling the regime. Since his father's death in late February, Mojtaba has not made any public appearances, with some reports claiming he was injured in the strike that killed his father. Despite Iranian officials' claims of good health, sources suggest Mojtaba is an "empty entity" and the Iranian leadership is "broken" and "misfunctioning." A message attributed to Mojtaba was broadcast on Iranian state TV, vowing revenge for recent Israeli strikes that have killed several senior Iranian officials, including Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani. These strikes are part of what the IDF describes as a continuing and successful effort.

Since March 2, over 1,000 people in Lebanon, including 40 healthcare workers, have been killed in intensified Israeli attacks, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The attacks, which have also wounded over 2,500, followed rocket launches by Hezbollah into northern Israel after the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Israeli bombardment, targeting Hezbollah, has displaced over one million people and included residential buildings and infrastructure. Hezbollah has responded with rocket fire into Israel and ground engagements. The UN human rights chief's office has stated that some Israeli attacks may constitute war crimes, emphasizing the need to distinguish between military and civilian targets.

The UN human rights office stated on March 17, 2026, that Israeli attacks on Lebanon, including strikes on residential buildings and healthcare facilities, may constitute war crimes. This statement follows intensified Israeli air strikes and ground operations in Lebanon as part of the wider Middle East conflict. According to the UN, hundreds of buildings have been destroyed, and displaced civilians and healthcare workers have been killed in the attacks. The UN spokesperson emphasized that international law requires distinction between military and civilian targets and protects healthcare workers and vulnerable populations. Since March 2, Israeli attacks have reportedly killed at least 912 people, including 111 children, and wounded 2,221. The intensified strikes began after Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel following the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

On March 12, 2026, Israel escalated its military campaign in Lebanon by attacking central Beirut, specifically the Bashoura neighborhood and southern suburbs. This follows a week and a half of intensified Israeli bombing across Lebanon that began after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel following the start of the United States-Israeli war on Iran. The Israeli military claims the offensive targets Hezbollah, while Lebanese authorities report at least 687 deaths, over 1,500 injuries, and over 800,000 people displaced. Hezbollah has responded with rocket strikes against Israel. The UN and humanitarian groups report that Lebanese civilians are bearing the brunt of the escalating conflict, with many seeking emergency shelter after being displaced.

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.

A video report published on March 13, 2026, details the impact of Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, particularly around Beirut. The report, led by Christina Goldbaum, shows the areas affected by the strikes. Following evacuation warnings issued by Israel amidst conflict with Hezbollah, hundreds of thousands of people have fled from Beirut's surrounding areas and a large portion of southern Lebanon. The report aims to show the extent of the damage and displacement caused by the ongoing conflict. The video includes contributions from Jon Miller, Christina Thornell, Joey Sendaydiego, and David Guttenfelder.

As of March 11, 2026, war has displaced over 800,000 people in Lebanon in just ten days, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council. This figure represents approximately one in seven residents of the country. The displaced are fleeing Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut. Many are seeking refuge in temporary shelters such as technical institutes, sports stadiums, and churches in Beirut. Aid groups are warning of a potential humanitarian crisis due to the scale of displacement, which follows another conflict that displaced over a million people just a year prior.

Aid groups are warning of a humanitarian crisis in Lebanon as war has displaced over 800,000 people in just 10 days, approximately one in seven Lebanese citizens. This displacement follows a recent escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, with Israeli strikes becoming more intense and unpredictable. Many of the displaced are without shelter, as government-run shelters are overwhelmed, and the government struggles to provide adequate assistance to the affected population. The strikes, targeting areas beyond specific locations, have resulted in over 700 deaths, including 103 children, according to Lebanon's health ministry. The current situation is reportedly more difficult than the previous conflict, leaving many like Fatima Nazha struggling to find adequate shelter and basic necessities.

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.

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.