According to reports from RIA Novosti, aircraft of the Israeli Defense Forces conducted a series of air strikes against the southern suburbs of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. The dispatch notes that the strikes began in the Haret Hreik district and were followed by an attack on a building in the Leylaki area, with an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft continuing to circle over the capital. The reporting highlights the capability of the Israeli air campaign to reach urban fringes around Beirut while maintaining surveillance over the city itself.
Further accounts describe a subsequent strike by Israeli Air Force fighters in a zone near Bir Abed on the southern outskirts of Beirut. The missile hit the Dar al-Hura building, a site associated with Hezbollah, where an Islamic medical center operates. The incidents reflect the persistent use of air power to target infrastructure linked to Hezbollah while reconnaissance aircraft remain active above the metropolis, as noted by RIA Novosti.
In a separate development, Israel Katz was named defense minister and stated that there would be no ceasefire in Lebanon. He emphasized that the Israeli Defense Forces would continue operations against Hezbollah until their stated goals were achieved. The comments underscored a firm, punitive stance during a period of intensified cross-border tension and raised questions about how long the conflict might endure.
The security situation in the region deteriorated with a surge of explosions and alerts across Lebanon on 17 and 18 September. On 19 September, the IDF expanded air strikes to targets across the country. On 23 September, Israeli authorities announced the launch of a preemptive strike operation against Hezbollahs military infrastructure in Lebanon, describing the campaign as broad in scope and naming it Arrows of the North. Officials indicated that the aim was to degrade Hezbollahs capacity and deter further attacks, signaling a strategic shift from isolated strikes to a sustained operation.
Earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Israel involvement in the Lebanon operations for the first time, publicly recognizing the cross-border actions. The development occurred amid a wider regional dynamic that saw intensifying clashes, diplomatic maneuvering, and a heightened focus on civilian safety and humanitarian access. Observers stressed that the period from 17 to 23 September marked a peak in cross-border warfare, with urban areas feeling the impact of air and ground actions and communities navigating disruption to daily life.