Israeli retaliatory strikes rock Lebanon after Hezbollah attack

WorldPolitics
2 Mar 2026 • 11:23 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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Israel has launched new air strikes on Lebanon’s capital of Beirut after Hezbollah fired rockets across the border in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Footage from the Lebanese capital on early Monday (2 March) morning shows smoke rising over the skyline as multiple explosions are heard.

Israel said it was attacking sites connected to Lebanon's Shi'ite Muslim armed group Hezbollah, one of Tehran's principal allies in the Middle East.

At least 31 people were killed in the strikes, with 149 injured, Lebanon’s health ministry said.

Hezbollah said its attack was in retaliation for the killing of Khamenei, “in defence of Lebanon and its people” and “in response to the repeated Israeli attacks”.

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