Israel carried out an air strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs yesterday, after ordering an evacuation of a building that it said was being used by the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah. The attack occurred despite a ceasefire that came into force five months ago, which put an end to the conflict between Israel and the military group. Israel said that it had targeted a Hezbollah store of precision-guided missiles that poses a threat to the State of Israel and its civilians.  The Lebanese presidency condemned the strike and called on the US and France, who brokered the ceasefire in November, to press Israel to cease its attacks on the country. The attack marks the first time in almost a month that Israel has struck Beirut’s southern suburbs – called Dahieh – where Hezbollah is based.

The Israeli government has said that it will respond to any perceived threats from Hezbollah