Israel bombs Beirut suburbs on Day 38, Lebanon excluded from Iran ceasefire
Last updated: 13:26 UTC, April 08 2026 | Started: 2026-04-08 13:26 | 1 update(s) | Avg confidence: 88/100
The story so far: The current war began on March 2, 2026, when Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel in retaliation for the US-Israeli assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28. Israel responded with sweeping airstrikes across Lebanon and launched a ground operation in the south on March 16. The fighting is an escalation of a conflict between Israel and Hezbollah dating to 1982, with the most recent prior phase running from October 2023 through a November 2024 ceasefire that collapsed under near-daily Israeli strikes and Hezbollah's weapons rebuilding.
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2026-04-08 13:26 — Israel bombs Beirut suburbs on Day 38, Lebanon excluded from Iran ceasefire
On April 8, the Israeli military issued its third evacuation warning for Beirut's southern suburbs since the US announced a ceasefire with Iran, with Colonel Avichay Adraee stating on X that 'the IDF continues operations and attacks Hezbollah's military infrastructure across the southern suburbs,' per AFP.
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What We Know
- On April 8, the Israeli military issued its third evacuation warning for Beirut's southern suburbs since the US announced a ceasefire with Iran, with Colonel Avichay Adraee stating on X that 'the IDF continues operations and attacks Hezbollah's military infrastructure across the southern suburbs,' per AFP.
- A Lebanese government source told Al Jazeera on April 8 that Beirut had not been informed Lebanon was included in any ceasefire between Tehran and Washington, and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun made international contacts — including with the French president — to try to secure Lebanon's inclusion.
- Israeli Channel 12 cited military sources confirming the northern command told municipal leaders the ceasefire 'does not include Lebanon,' as Israeli ground operations in southern Lebanon and airstrikes across the country continued, per Lebanon's Live UA Map feed.
- Since the war began on March 2, Israeli forces have carried out more than 1,840 strikes on Lebanon, killing at least 1,497 people and wounding 4,639, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health and ACLED data reported by Al Jazeera.
- Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced Israel plans to destroy Lebanese border towns and maintain a security zone up to the Litani River, barring more than 600,000 people from returning to their homes, with Prime Minister Netanyahu endorsing the buffer zone plan, per NPR and CFR.
Still Unclear
- Israeli military (via Al Jazeera): Israel says its strikes exclusively target Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure, and that it does everything possible to limit civilian casualties.
Human Rights Watch researcher Ramzi Kaiss, speaking from Beirut (Democracy Now/Al Jazeera): Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of committing 'apparently deliberate or indiscriminate attacks' on civilians in Lebanon over two-and-a-half years of conflict.
- Israel Defense Forces: The IDF claims to have killed approximately 1,000 Hezbollah fighters since the war began on March 2.
Unnamed sources familiar with Hezbollah's count, cited by Reuters: Internal Hezbollah sources put their own fighter death toll at over 400.
- IDF Arabic-language spokesman Colonel Avichay Adraee: Israel struck the Masnaa border crossing because Hezbollah was using it for military purposes and smuggling of combat equipment.
Mazen Aloush, Syrian borders and customs public relations director (AFP/France 24): Syria's borders and customs director Mazen Aloush insisted the Masnaa crossing was exclusively used by civilians.
- (Unverified — single source | not independently corroborated — Israel made no immediate comment and Al Jazeera could not verify the claim) Hezbollah claimed to have fired a cruise missile at an Israeli warship 126km off the Lebanese coast on April 5. [Hezbollah (via Al Jazeera)]
- (Unverified — single source | anonymous source | not independently corroborated) An April 5 Israeli strike on the predominantly Christian town of Ain Saadeh was aimed at inflaming sectarian tensions rather than targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. [Wikipedia citing unnamed speculation]
Key Figures
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|
| Total killed in Lebanon since March 2, 2026 | At least 1,497 people, including 130 children and 57 health workers | Lebanon Ministry of Public Health, reported by Al Jazeera (April 7, 2026) |
| Total wounded in Lebanon since March 2, 2026 | 4,639 | Lebanon Ministry of Public Health, reported by Al Jazeera |
| Displaced persons in Lebanon | More than 1.2 million (approximately 22% of Lebanon's population) | UN data and UNHCR, cited by Al Jazeera and NPR |
| Lebanese territory under Israeli evacuation order | 15–20% of Lebanon's territory (south of the Zahrani River) | Norwegian Refugee Council cited by Al Jazeera; NPR |
| Residents barred from returning under planned Israeli security zone | More than 600,000 | Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, cited by NPR |
| Hezbollah projectiles fired at Israel since March 2 | Approximately 5,000 | Reuters, cited by Long War Journal (March 31, 2026) |
| Israeli soldiers killed in Lebanon since March 2 | At least 11 (with additional wounded) | IDF via Wikipedia Timeline of the 2026 Lebanon war |
| Israeli airstrikes and attacks on Lebanon since March 2 | More than 1,840 | ACLED, reported by Al Jazeera |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lebanon included in the US-Iran ceasefire?
No. A Lebanese government source told Al Jazeera on April 8 that Beirut was not even informed Lebanon would be included. Israeli Channel 12 confirmed the Israeli military told northern commanders the ceasefire does not cover Lebanon. President Joseph Aoun is seeking international intervention to be included.
What is Israel's plan for southern Lebanon after the war?
Israeli Defence Minister Katz announced Israel will maintain a 'security zone' up to the Litani River, demolish border towns, and bar more than 600,000 residents from returning until Israel deems itself safe from Hezbollah. Prime Minister Netanyahu has endorsed the plan, which would cover roughly 8–15% of Lebanese territory.
How bad is the humanitarian situation in Lebanon?
More than 1.2 million people — about one-fifth of Lebanon's 5.9 million population — have been displaced, making it one of the world's fastest-growing displacement crises according to Al Jazeera. At least 1,497 have been killed. Hospitals near strike zones are struggling with medical supply blockages.
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