Israel launched a powerful strike on Beirut in response to Iranian missile attacks.

Israel's air force carried out massive airstrikes on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital Beirut on October 6, as the country considers options for responding to Iran's recent missile strike. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant has threatened Iran, warning that it could end up in a situation similar to Beirut or Gaza, which were recently hit, if Tehran tries to cause further damage to Israel. The Iranians were unable to harm the air force. No aircraft were damaged and no squadrons were put out of action, Gallant said, commenting on the Iranian missile strike that caused minor injuries and damage at two Air Force bases.

Israel previously announced a series of “targeted strikes” against “arsenals” and infrastructure facilities belonging to Iran-backed Hezbollah. The United States has designated Hezbollah as a terrorist group, and the European Union has blacklisted its armed wing, but not its political wing. Lebanon's official National News Agency said more than 30 strikes were carried out on a Hezbollah stronghold in the area.

Israel bombed a Beirut suburb for several days, killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and possibly his would-be successor Hashem Safi al-Din. Israel said its troops killed 440 Hezbollah fighters in ground operations in southern Lebanon and destroyed 2,000 Hezbollah targets.

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, about 2,000 people have been killed in the conflict, most of them since September 23. Israel says the attacks on Hezbollah are aimed at ensuring the safe return of tens of thousands of citizens to their homes in northern Israel, which have been under fire from the group since October last year. Israeli troops are on high alert ahead of the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack last year that sparked the war and was carried out by Hamas. According to Israeli estimates, about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage during the Hamas attack in southern Israel.