The Israeli military launched airstrikes on Thursday targeting what it described as Hezbollah-operated underground drone manufacturing facilities in the southern suburbs of Beirut, marking the first such strikes near the Lebanese capital in over a month.

The raids came on the eve of the Eid al-Adha holiday and represent the fourth time Israel has hit sites around Beirut since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire brought an end to last year’s brief war between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group.

Israeli airstrikes in Beirut targeted a network of underground facilities reportedly used by Hezbollah’s aerial unit, known as Unit 127, for manufacturing drones, according to the Israeli military.

The Israeli military said the strikes hit eight buildings spread across four different locations in the neighborhoods of Hadath, Haret Hreik, and Borj al-Barajneh. 

Ahead of the strikes, Israel’s Arabic-language military spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee issued what he described as an “urgent alert” on X, urging residents to immediately evacuate the marked buildings and surrounding areas, warning civilians to stay at least 300 meters away “for your safety.” The post included maps identifying specific targets.

The Israeli military accused Hezbollah of using the targeted facilities to manufacture large quantities of drones with Iranian support, adding that the militant group was ramping up production capabilities in anticipation of a future conflict.

“These facilities were intentionally embedded within the civilian population,” the Israeli army said, calling the move a “flagrant violation” of ceasefire understandings.

“Hezbollah is attempting to expand its drone production with the assistance of Iranian terror groups,” the statement added. “The Israeli army will continue to act against any threats to the State of Israel and its citizens and will disrupt all efforts by Hezbollah to re-establish military infrastructure.”

The Israeli army said Hezbollah’s aerial division was responsible for launching more than 1,000 attack and reconnaissance drones at Israel during last year’s conflict. Despite the ceasefire agreement, the group has allegedly continued efforts to expand its drone capabilities.

The military claimed that over the years, Iran has orchestrated attacks through this project in cooperation with Hezbollah.

Hezbollah operatives have reportedly traveled to Iran for training on drone manufacturing systems; training that has enabled the group to independently produce UAVs within Lebanon. 

According to an official Lebanese army source cited by the Associated Press, Lebanese authorities had urged Israel to hold off on the attacks and allow the army to inspect the suspected sites as per the ceasefire agreement's terms. The Israeli side reportedly refused the request, prompting Lebanese troops to withdraw from the targeted locations for their own safety.

Later in the evening, he issued another evacuation notice, this time for two locations in the southern Lebanese town of Ain Qana, where the military said it would be targeting additional Hezbollah assets. According to the military, the strikes hit a Hezbollah workshop used to build drones for attacks and surveillance.