Early Wednesday, Israeli airstrikes targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs, a stronghold of Hezbollah, hours after the US criticized the scope of recent Israeli attacks on the Lebanese capital. Witnesses reported hearing two explosions and seeing plumes of smoke from separate neighborhoods.

The Israeli military confirmed a strike on an underground Hezbollah weapons cache in the Dahiyeh suburb, asserting that steps were taken to minimize civilian casualties, including issuing warnings. However, some residents noted that warnings often covered only specific buildings while strikes affected wider areas.

The strikes follow weeks of Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon, which have included ground incursions aimed at countering Hezbollah forces. These actions have led to evacuation orders impacting more than a quarter of Lebanon, according to the UN Refugee Agency.

As tensions escalate, Western nations, including the US, have pushed for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, alongside efforts to halt hostilities in Gaza. On Tuesday, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed concerns over the intensity of Israeli airstrikes in Beirut, marking a shift in Washington’s stance.

The strikes come amid heightened regional tensions following Iran’s missile barrage against Israel on October 1, which Israel has vowed to retaliate against. The conflict has drawn in Iran’s allies, including Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthis, and armed groups in Iraq, further complicating diplomatic efforts.