US supports, France condemns Israeli strikes in Beirut; PM Netanyahu warns: Israel will strike threats ‘anywhere in Lebanon’

After Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Friday, including in the capital of Beirut, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that Israel would respond decisively against any fire into Israeli territory.

The Israeli strikes were in response to the launch of two rockets from Lebanese territory. Despite Hezbollah’s denial of responsibility, Israel targeted sites belonging to the terror group while stressing that it holds the Lebanese government accountable for preventing such attacks.

The Israeli strikes were received with condemnation from Lebanon, as well as France, while the United States expressed its support.

“Whoever has not yet internalized the new situation in Lebanon has received an additional reminder of our determination,” Netanyahu stated shortly before the start of the Jewish Sabbath on Friday evening.

“The equation has changed; what prevailed before October 7 will not recur. We will not allow firing at our communities, not even a trickle. We will continue to strongly enforce the ceasefire. We will attack anywhere in Lebanon against any threat to the State of Israel,” he added.

The IDF releases footage from its wave of airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon today, which came as a response to this morning's rocket fire on Kiryat Shmona.

According to the military, the strikes targeted Hezbollah command centers, military infrastructure,… pic.twitter.com/YmjwNuv5j6

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) March 28, 2025

The attack in the capital was the first Israeli strike in Beirut in over four months. In addition, the IDF said it hit “Hezbollah command centers, terrorist infrastructure sites, launchers, and terrorists.”

The military reiterated that the rocket launches constituted “a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon… The State of Lebanon bears responsibility for upholding the agreement.”

The commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), General Rudolf Haykal, stated on Saturday evening that his troops arrested several suspects involved in the rocket launch.

He said that the launch toward "the occupied Palestinian territories serves Israel," adding that the LAF is upholding its commitment to the ceasefire agreement, and the only remaining obstacle to the full deployment of its forces is the presence of the IDF in southern Lebanon.

U.S. Deputy Middle East envoy, Morgan Ortagus, who is leading U.S. efforts to broker more permanent agreements between Israel and Lebanon, told Asharq News that “our administration fully supports the State of Israel responding to the broken ceasefire that emanated from Lebanon this morning.”

In a statement to The Times of Israel, Ortagus added: “Israel is defending its people and interests by responding to rocket attacks from terrorists in Lebanon. As part of the cessation of hostilities agreement, the government of Lebanon is responsible for disarming Hezbollah and all other terrorists, and we expect the Lebanese Armed Forces to disarm these terrorists to prevent further attacks.”

Meanwhile, France – along with the U.S., a member of the ceasefire monitoring mechanism and a patron of the Lebanese government – condemned Israel’s actions.

الرئيس جوزيف عون، سعيد جدًا بلقائكم مجددًا في باريس في زيارتكم الأولى كرئيس للجمهورية اللبنانية. مرحبًا بكم، صديقي العزيز. لبنان وفرنسا يسيران معًا، دائمًا. pic.twitter.com/4ZJgzRRT5x

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 28, 2025

The new Lebanese president, Joseph Aoun, arrived in Paris on Friday for his first visit to France since taking office. After meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Macron condemned the strikes as “unacceptable” and a violation of the ceasefire.

“The framework agreed upon by Lebanon and Israel was not respected today by Israel unilaterally and without us having either information or proof of the triggering event,” the French leader said.

He also said he would call U.S. President Donald Trump and Netanyahu to discuss the attacks.

In his remarks, Aoun stated, “We reject any attack on Lebanon or any suspicious, malicious attempt to return Lebanon to the cycle of violence.”

The French presidency also expressed strong condemnation of “the rocket fire toward Israel from Lebanese territory on the morning of March 28, which led to the ongoing Israeli response.”