Israel strikes Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut as truce falters

BeirutThis Sunday, Haret Hreik, a Hezbollah stronghold on the southern outskirts of Beirut, trembled once again to the roar of warplanes. The seemingly peaceful afternoon was shattered in seconds by the thunder of several explosions. Entire families rushed from their homes in terror, some children crying in their mothers' arms as they ran into the street. Amidst smoke and dust, the rubble of a residential building struck by at least six missiles was tallied. According to local medical sources, at least five people were killed and twenty wounded. Volunteers and medical personnel worked tirelessly, improvising makeshift beds, organizing spaces, and treating the injured with cuts, fractures, and burns. "We can't take any more of this," said a neighbor, her voice trembling with anger and exhaustion.

All sources agree that the stated target was Abu Ali Tabatabaei, Hezbollah's military chief of staff, a key figure in the pro-Iranian Shiite militia. Hours later, Hezbollah confirmed Tabatabaei's death.

Israel justified the attack by claiming it wanted to prevent Hezbollah from "rebuilding its military strength" and reaffirmed that it will not tolerate the organization regaining offensive capabilities from within Lebanon. The action is also symbolic, as it involves of the first attack on the suburbs of Beirut in monthsJust as the US-brokered ceasefire, which ended thirteen months of open escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, marked its first anniversary. The bombing, despite being selective, sends a clear message: for the militia, it represents a test of its resilience, and for Israel, a reaffirmation of its deterrence strategy. I call for international intervention.

The Lebanese reaction was swift. President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack as a violation of national sovereignty and called for international intervention to halt the escalation. On the streets, the outrage is palpable. People are looking to the sky with distrust, wondering how much longer the situation will escalate. How long will this truce last, which until now has only containedBut it hasn't resolved the tension. Analysts warn that striking a military commander as high-ranking as Tabatabaei could provoke more aggressive reprisals from Hezbollah, especially in a context where any miscalculation could lead to open clashes. The militia's ability to survive these attacks while maintaining its political influence illustrates the paradox of power in the country.

Amid the rubble, witnesses from the Haret Hreik area reflect on the human impact of the military action. A sense of insecurity is mixed with fear of further offensives. In the midst of the chaos, there are outbursts of anger, questions about who decides over their lives, and a pervasive feeling of vulnerability. The civilian population is once again paying the price for strategic decisions that transcend their daily lives, a reminder that the ceasefire has not brought real security.

The attack is also a reminder that, beyond figures and strategies, Beirut is still a stage where politics and everyday life are painfully intertwined. Israel reaffirms its ability to project considerable power.Hezbollah faces the challenge of maintaining its authority and organization, and the public realizes, once again, that a truce is not synonymous with lasting peace.

The outskirts of Beirut are back in the international spotlight after the bombing of Haret Hreik, marking a new moment of tension in the city. The attack cannot be seen as an isolated military incident: it has strong political significance, as Israel demonstrates its ability to project power into the heart of Beirut, while Hezbollah grapples with whether to respond or remain cautious to avoid another war. For civilians, the truce has not guaranteed security, and for the international community, the attack reflects the fragility of regional stability. Amid rubble and fear, Haret Hreik serves as a reminder that the memory of past conflicts and the uncertainty of the future continue to mark every street and every life.