Israel tightens home-front restrictions amid fears of an Iranian response to Beirut strike

Israel’s political and military leadership believes Iran may retaliate for the targeted strike in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district, and the Home Front Command tightened civilian restrictions for 24 hours on Sunday evening. Across most of the country, authorities ordered a return to full activity but capped public gatherings at 5,000 people, while the existing restrictions remained in force along the confrontation line.

A senior Israeli source told CNN in the afternoon that Israel had taken into account the possibility that the attack could trigger Iranian ballistic missile fire, on the same day the United States and Iran were expected to sign a preliminary ceasefire agreement. The source said Israel had informed U.S. Central Command before the Beirut strike. Another Israeli official said the Dahiyeh strike hit a Hezbollah headquarters, not a targeted killing, and the intended target was not a senior Hezbollah figure as reported by a Saudi channel.

Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said earlier that the army was following developments closely and maintaining a high level of readiness across all fronts. “The reality now is sensitive and complex,” he said, adding that the IDF was “determined, alert, ready and operating at varying levels in all sectors.” He said Lebanon was the main focus, but Israel was also preparing for developments elsewhere.

Israel said it struck the Hezbollah terror organization’s headquarters in Beirut’s Dahiyeh in response to rocket fire into Israeli territory. Lebanon’s National News Agency said three people were killed and 15 wounded, while the Saudi outlet Al Hadath reported that one of the dead was Hezbollah commander Ali al-Hajj. Earlier, the army said three drones launched from Lebanon fell near the border inside Israel without causing injuries, and the IDF Arabic spokesperson issued evacuation warnings to many villages and towns in southern Lebanon, telling residents to move north of the Zahrani River.

Political fallout also followed the strike. Iranian parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf threatened to suspend talks with the United States, writing on X that the “aggression in Dahiyeh” showed Washington had no desire or ability to honor its commitments. In Israel, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged a much harsher response against Hezbollah.