Israel Threatens to Strike Lebanon’s Civilian Infrastructure and Beirut Airport if Hezbollah Joins U.S.-Iran Conflict

Top Lebanese officials revealed on Tuesday that Israel has sent an indirect warning to Beirut, threatening to crush the country's civilian infrastructure—including Beirut International Airport—if Hezbollah intervenes in any potential war between the United States and Iran. Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raji confirmed fears of devastating strikes, as the U.S. State Department began evacuating non-essential staff from its embassy in Beirut.

The threats come as regional tensions hit a boiling point. Following the 2024 strikes that crippled Hezbollah and killed its leader Hassan Nasrallah, the group’s new chief, Naim Qassem, recently declared that Hezbollah is "not neutral" and will decide its level of involvement based on the situation. Meanwhile, Oman’s Foreign Minister announced a critical third round of nuclear talks in Geneva this Thursday, viewed as a last-ditch effort to prevent a massive military conflagration.