Israeli airstrikes persisted in Lebanon until ceasefire took effect

Hours before a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect early Tuesday, Israeli forces carried out a series of intensified airstrikes across Lebanon, targeting areas including the capital, Beirut, and regions in the country’s south and east.

Lebanon’s state news agency, NNA, reported Israeli airstrikes on southern Beirut, while local media highlighted sustained attacks on other regions up to the moment the ceasefire began at 4:00 a.m. local time. The final wave of strikes marked the culmination of an escalation that left parts of Lebanon reeling from the continuous bombardment.

The attacks were particularly concentrated in southern Lebanon, a region heavily affected by the conflict. As the truce approached, tension escalated with reports of heightened military activity on both sides.

When the ceasefire came into effect, the airstrikes ceased, and relative calm was restored. In response, celebratory gunfire was heard in Beirut’s Dahiye district, signaling relief among residents in a city that had endured repeated strikes.

The agreement, brokered with U.S. support and announced by President Joe Biden, follows days of intense hostilities. Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee warned civilians against returning to areas near Israeli positions, urging displaced residents to exercise caution despite the ceasefire.

While the truce holds for now, the preceding hours underscore the volatility of the situation, with the conflict’s impacts likely to linger despite the cessation of active hostilities.