The day began with continued diplomatic momentum from yesterday's Hezbollah-Salam reconciliation, as newspapers reported "ice-breaking" meetings and political truces. Prime Minister Salam concluded IMF negotiations with reported progress, while President Aoun signed a decree calling parliament to extraordinary session. Lebanon won membership in the UN Economic and Social Council, marking a rare diplomatic achievement.
The political calm evaporated by evening when Israel issued sudden evacuation warnings for Beirut's southern suburbs on Eid al-Adha eve. Israeli strikes followed, targeting multiple sites in Dahieh in what Naharnet described as the biggest escalation since the war. Lebanese officials condemned the attacks as ceasefire violations, with the Lebanese Army attempting unsuccessfully to prevent the strikes.
The timing appeared deliberate, occurring as newspapers discussed whether the Hezbollah-Salam rapprochement had genuinely resolved their differences. Israeli Defense Minister Katz praised the "perfect execution" of the operation, while Lebanese leaders demanded international intervention to deter further Israeli aggression.