Lebanese Prime Minister Condemns Rocket Attack on Israel as Border Tensions Escalate
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has strongly condemned the launching of rockets from southern Lebanon towards Israel on Monday, 2 March 2026. Salam characterised the action as irresponsible and suspicious, endangering Lebanese security and safety whilst providing Israel with justification to continue its military operations against Lebanese sovereignty.
“Regardless of who is behind it, rocket fire from southern Lebanon is an irresponsible and suspicious act that endangers the security and safety of Lebanon, and gives Israel a pretext to continue its attacks,” Salam stated firmly in an official statement on social media.
This statement emerged amid a barrage of explosions shaking Beirut from approximately 03:00 local time, following Israeli military retaliation strikes against Hizbullah targets. Loud explosions were heard across the Lebanese capital at around 03:00 local time, jolting residents awake. The Israeli military confirmed that operations were directed at disabling Hizbullah targets.
“We are operating against Hizbullah’s decision to join this campaign,” the Israeli military stated. They further added they would not permit the group to “become a threat to the State of Israel and endanger civilians in northern Israel.”
Hizbullah claimed responsibility for launching precision rockets and drone strikes. The Iran-backed group asserted that its actions were a direct response to the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a statement, Hizbullah described the attack as “a legitimate act of self-defence.” Although the rockets reportedly fell in open areas of Israeli territory, the escalation represents a serious breach in the US-mediated ceasefire agreement concluded in 2024.
Tensions extend beyond the Israel-Lebanon border. The British Ministry of Defence reported a suspected drone attack targeting RAF Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus on Sunday evening. Whilst there were no fatalities, the incident raised alert status for British forces in the region to the highest level.
British Defence Minister John Healey warned that British forces and civilians in the Middle East now face increased risk from “indiscriminate attacks” by Iran-affiliated parties following Khamenei’s death.
Residents in several locations in Lebanon have been requested to evacuate to avoid impacts from anticipated continued airstrikes whilst tensions remain unresolved.