Where Israeli Strikes Are Hitting Beirut

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.

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.

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.

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.

On March 5, 2026, *The New York Times* reported on the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. According to Christina Goldbaum, the Beirut bureau chief, Israel's military is seizing areas within southern Lebanon. The report also indicates that Israel is conducting bombings in the region. The conflict is occurring due to ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group. The report aims to provide an on-the-ground perspective of the situation in Beirut as the conflict intensifies.

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.

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.

Lebanon is at a critical juncture as the government considers disarming Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group. The potential disarmament is a significant development for the country, which has long struggled with Hezbollah's influence. The Lebanese government's decision to pursue disarmament comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region. The central question is whether the government will proceed with disarming Hezbollah and how the militant group will react to such a move. The outcome will likely have profound implications for Lebanon's stability and future.

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.

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.