The Israel Defense Forces announced on Thursday evening that it planned to strike a Hezbollah drone manufacturing plant built “in the heart of the civilian population in the Dahiya neighborhood of Beirut.”
“Despite the [ceasefire] understandings between Israel and Lebanon, the IDF has identified that the aerial unit [Unit 127] of the Hezbollah terror group is working to produce thousands of UAVs under the direction and funding of Iranian terror elements,” the IDF said.
“After Hezbollah made the extensive use of UAVs a central component of its attacks on the State of Israel, the terrorist organization is working to strengthen its UAV production industry in preparation for the next war with Israel,” according to Thursday’s military statement in Hebrew.
“This activity constitutes a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon,” it noted. “The IDF will act to eliminate any threat to the State of Israel and its citizens and will prevent any attempt by the Hezbollah terrorist group to rebuild its capabilities.”
Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee, head of the Arab Media Branch in the military’s Spokesperson’s Unit, issued evacuation warnings to the residents of four buildings, urging them to move away by at least 300 meters (328 yards).
The Israeli military reportedly also warned noncombatants in the area through “knock on the roof” non-lethal attacks and mass phone calls.
Following the warning, video footage posted to Arabic social media showed large traffic jams in Beirut’s south as residents tried to flee.
Meanwhile, in Israel, the Ma’ale Yosef Regional Council, located near the Lebanese border, informed residents that “starting shortly and over the coming hours, Air Force strikes will be carried out in several areas in the northern sector, as part of ongoing enforcement efforts.”
“At this stage, there are no changes to the situational assessment for the civilian population, and there are no directives in place, including for all events that have been approved for the coming days,” it continued.
According to Israel’s Channel 12 News broadcaster, the Jewish state’s defense establishment was prepared for possible retaliatory attacks.
The situation in Lebanon remains volatile following the expiration of the ceasefire on Feb. 18. The deal ended following more than a year of war, after Hezbollah began attacking the north the day after the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
The terms of the Nov. 27 ceasefire agreement between Jerusalem and Beirut required Hezbollah to vacate all areas south of the Litani River, which it has been refusing to do. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned that the ceasefire would be void if Hezbollah refuses to withdraw.
Under the deal, the IDF is authorized to counter threats from Lebanon, such as observed preparations for a Hezbollah rocket launch, and to address emerging threats—for example, the digging of new tunnels or arms transfers—if Lebanon’s government is unwilling or unable to act.