Israel Strikes Beirut Suburbs, Escalates Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered attacks on Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut, known as Dahiyeh, escalating the conflict with the Iran-backed group. This decision follows intensified hostilities, including Hezbollah's rocket fire on Israeli cities like Israel — Nahariya and Israel — Tiberias, and Israel's capture of the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle in Lebanon. The conflict, which began on March 2, has resulted in over 3,400 deaths in Lebanon and 28 in Israel, displacing over 1 million people in Lebanon. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, stated that Israeli actions in Lebanon are delaying diplomatic efforts to resolve the broader U.S.-Iran conflict, emphasizing a Lebanon ceasefire as integral to any deal. The United States, through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has proposed a gradual de-escalation plan, suggesting Hezbollah halt attacks on Israel in exchange for Israel refraining from escalation in Beirut. However, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally, insisted Israel must stop 'shooting first'. France has called for an emergency meeting of the International — United Nations Security Council to address the escalating violence.