The element of surprise was lost when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the IDF's intentions to strike targets in the Lebanese capital.

Tehran: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has warned that Iran would respond if Israel attacks Beirut, saying Tehran has informed all parties that it will not tolerate an assault on the Lebanese capital and that such a move could trigger a return to war.

By Ahmed Kerdi and Rami Ayyub BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, June 1 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered attacks on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday, signalling the risk of further escalation in a war that has complicated mediation towards resolving the U.

The U.S.-brokered deal depends on Hezbollah halting its attacks first. But the leader of the Iran-backed group rejected those terms, and Israel said that its offensive would continue.

Araghchi issued a warning over Israel’s military posture toward Lebanon, saying any strike on the Lebanese capital would dramatically escalate the conflict.

Hania Mroue, founder and director of Beirut’s beloved Metropolis Cinema - Lebanon’s only arthouse movie theater - is planning to host the second edition of the South Screens (Écrans du Sud) Film Festival on Thursday evening,

Lebanese Army troops were deployed on Monday at the entrances to Beirut's southern suburbs to organize traffic as residents rushed to leave the area amid fears of possible Israeli strikes. Earlier

Iran said any Israeli attack on Beirut would bring grave consequences and risk renewed war. The warning came as Tehran and Washington kept reviewing draft texts and Donald Trump said a deal could be close.