Lebanon Crisis: Israel shaken by Hezbollah’s entry, massive airstrike on Beirut in retaliation, huge devastation in the Middle East

News India Live, Digital Desk: After the death of Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s biggest ally Hezbollah has broken its silence and opened a front against Israel. On Monday morning (2 March 2026), Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets and drones targeting northern areas of Israel. Within a few hours, Israel started bombing many cities including the Lebanese capital Beirut, turning the entire area into a battlefield. Hezbollah’s attack: “Blasts echoed till Haifa.” Hezbollah has claimed that it has attacked Israel’s Mishmar Ha-Carmel site and military bases south of Haifa with ‘missile salvo’. Retaliation (Retaliation): Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem described the attack as a “precise and defensive response” to Khamenei’s martyrdom. Sirens echo: Air strike sirens sounded in Israel’s northern cities—Galilee, Haifa and Acre—for the first time since the war began, forcing people to hide in bunkers. Israel’s fierce counterattack: Southern suburbs of Beirut Israel Defense Forces (IDF) expanded ‘Operation Roaring Lion’ to Lebanon immediately after the targeted Hezbollah attack. Devastation in Beirut: According to eyewitnesses, several powerful explosions were heard in the southern suburbs of Beirut (Dahieh). According to reports, more than 10 people have died in these attacks so far. Mass exodus: The Israeli Army has warned residents of about 50 villages in southern and eastern Lebanon (Beqaa Valley) to evacuate their homes immediately. The army has asked people to move to open areas at least 1,000 meters away from the village. Lebanese government’s concern: “Our country should not become a scapegoat.” Lebanon’s Prime Minister and President have condemned Hezbollah’s move. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Hezbollah’s attack was plunging Lebanon into a war the country had nothing to do with. He said that making Lebanon a platform for ‘Proxy War’ would prove to be suicidal. Global situation: Shadow of war over the entire world. India’s stance: PM Modi has spoken to Benjamin Netanyahu and appealed to stop the violence. Hundreds of Indian students and citizens are stranded in Dubai and other Gulf countries. Panic in the market: Due to the war, the prices of crude oil (Brent Crude) have crossed $ 82 per barrel and the Indian stock market (Sensex) has also registered a huge fall of more than 2700 points.