Iran conflict 2026: Airstrikes hit Beirut's Dahieh, southern, eastern Lebanon as IDF launches offensive against Hizbullah

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Southern Lebanon, near the border with northern Israel, on 2 March. (AFP via Getty Images)

At 0240 h local time on 2 March, Janes witnessed approximately 12 explosions in Beirut, reportedly in the Dahieh neighbourhood, an area administered by Hizbullah.

At least one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) had remained overhead since the start of the strikes, and remains present as of 1300 local time, as witnessed by Janes .

Hizbullah issued an online statement on 2 March claiming responsibility for attacks targeting the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF's) Mismar HaCarmel missile defence site south of Haifa at approximately 0000 h local time. The group said the strikes were in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US‑Israeli airstrikes in Tehran on 28 February.

The IDF announced online the start of operations in Beirut at 0247 h local time on 2 March. At 0822 h local time, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said, “We have launched an offensive campaign against Hizbullah. We are not only operating defensively – we are now going on the offensive as well. We must prepare for many prolonged days of combat ahead.”

The IDF reported strikes in the Beqaa Valley, including Baalbek, and in Southern Lebanon, including Tyre. Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) also reported the strikes west of Baalbek, adding that UAVs were present over Tyre, surrounding towns, and other areas of Southern Lebanon. The IDF issued evacuation orders for 50 villages in south and eastern Lebanon in which it told residents to move at least 1,000 m from villages in anticipation of further airstrikes.