View of Beirut as Hezbollah retaliates with rocket barrage after Israeli strikes

Watch a view of Beirut on Sunday (25 August) after Hezbollah retaliated with a rocket barrage following Israeli strikes.

Israel launched a series of nearly 40 airstrikes in southern Lebanon early on Sunday in what it described as a “preemptive attack” to prevent an imminent Hezbollah drone and rocket strike.

“The IDF is striking terror targets in Lebanon from which Hezbollah was planning to launch attacks on Israeli civilians,” Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said, calling it a “self-defence act”. “We can see that Hezbollah is preparing to launch an extensive attack on Israel, while endangering the Lebanese civilians.”

The escalation came as mediated talks for a ceasefire in Gaza stalled and raised fears of a broader war in the region.