BEIRUT — Israeli warplanes broke the sound barrier over Beirut on Tuesday afternoon, coinciding with a highly anticipated speech by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
The incident, described by local officials as a show of force, came as northern Israeli towns were placed under heightened alert following a series of cross-border attacks from Lebanon.
Residents of Nahariya and other northern cities in Israel were advised to stay close to bomb shelters as the situation escalated.
Although these warnings were not officially issued by the IDF Home Front Command, local authorities took precautionary measures amid fears of an impending conflict.
The alerts were lifted shortly thereafter, but the heightened sense of urgency highlighted the volatile situation in the region.
The sonic booms created by the Israeli aircraft, which flew at low altitude over Beirut, were interpreted by many as a deliberate provocation.
In his speech marking the one-week anniversary of the death of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, Nasrallah condemned the Israeli maneuvers as a “petty” attempt to incite fear and demonstrate power.
He dismissed the sonic booms as insignificant, aiming to project an image of resilience and defiance.
Nasrallah’s address was closely watched in light of the recent surge in cross-border violence. Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, has been engaged in near-daily skirmishes with Israeli forces since October 8.
The escalation followed Israel’s targeted killing of Shukr, which Hezbollah vowed to avenge. This vow has heightened fears of a broader conflict that could potentially spiral into a full-scale war.
The sound of the Israeli warplanes caused a stir in Beirut, with residents rushing to open their windows or step onto their balconies to witness the overflight.
The intense noise, which shattered the calm of the city, underscored the mounting tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
Despite the dramatic effect of the sonic booms, the IDF did not issue any official statements or confirm the specific intentions behind the flights.
The ongoing violence and retaliatory measures reflect the fragile state of affairs between the two sides.
Hezbollah’s aggressive rhetoric and actions following Shukr’s death have contributed to the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in both Lebanon and Israel.
The situation remains precarious, with both sides bracing for further developments.
As the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of recent events, international observers are closely monitoring the situation.
The potential for further escalation remains high, with the risk of a broader conflict casting a long shadow over the already tense dynamics in the Middle East.