Israel Shatters Ceasefire With Deadly Airstrikes Across Lebanon
Lebanon had hoped for peace. Hours after US President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire to halt the escalating Middle East conflict, Israeli jets unleashed a devastating aerial assault on Lebanon. The 10-minute blitz killed at least 203 people and wounded more than 1,000, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
Ceasefire Collapse and Global Reaction
While the announcement of a pause in fighting briefly raised hopes, Israeli officials said Lebanon was excluded from the ceasefire due to Hezbollah’s involvement. Iran condemned the strikes as a “grave violation” and urged the US to halt Israeli “aggression.”
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, mediating peace talks, confirmed a US 15-point plan and Iran’s 10-point counter-proposals are set to form the basis of negotiations scheduled later this week.
Details of the Airstrikes
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported striking over 100 Hezbollah targets across Beirut, Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon, including command-and-control centres. Central Beirut and residential areas, including Tallet el Khayat, were hit, leaving buildings reduced to rubble.
Hezbollah retaliated with limited rocket fire, but the airstrikes marked some of the heaviest attacks in the capital since the conflict began in early March.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described civilians among the victims, while President Joseph Aoun called the assault a “massacre.” Civil defence teams are working to recover bodies and aid survivors in Beirut and across affected regions.
Wider Conflict Context
The conflict began on 28 February with US and Israeli strikes on Iran, triggering retaliation by Iran’s allies in the Gulf, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen. Israel’s stated goal is to weaken Hezbollah and complete remaining military objectives.
Since the campaign began last month, over 1,700 people have been killed in Lebanon. The recent airstrikes underscore the fragile and volatile nature of the conflict, and the civilian toll has sparked widespread condemnation internationally.
As peace talks approach, the world watches closely, but the latest attacks have dramatically heightened tensions and humanitarian suffering in Lebanon.
