Israel continues to strike Beirut, as Iran signals it would support a ceasefire in Lebanon

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani criticizes airstrikes on Beirut, Lebanon, saying Iran is ready to support any ceasefire initiative

Israel continues to strike Beirut, Lebanon, in response to a Hezbollah rocket attack on northern Israel on Friday. According to Lebanese state news agency NNA, Israeli warplanes pounded the southern suburbs of Beirut at dawn on Monday, while reconnaissance aircraft flew overhead.

The strikes come amid a surge in tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shia Islamist group backed by Iran. The rocket attack on Friday was the first such attack since 2019, and Israel responded with airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.

In response to the Israeli strikes, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said that Iran is "ready to support any initiative aimed at establishing a ceasefire and restoring calm to Lebanon." Kanaani also criticized the Israeli airstrikes, saying they were a "flagrant violation of international law and a threat to regional peace and stability."

Hezbollah is a Lebanese Shia Islamist group that is backed by Iran. Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, Israel, and the European Union. Hezbollah has a significant military presence in Lebanon and has been involved in several conflicts with Israel.

The Israeli strikes on Beirut have drawn international condemnation. The United Nations Security Council has called for an immediate ceasefire, and the United States has urged both sides to de-escalate the situation.

The Lebanese government has also called for a ceasefire, and Prime Minister Najib Mikati has said that Lebanon is "committed to preventing any escalation" of the conflict.

The situation in Lebanon remains tense, and it is unclear how the conflict will unfold.

The strikes come as Lebanon is facing a severe economic and political crisis. The country has been without a president for over a year, and the government is struggling to address the country's economic problems. The situation in Lebanon is also complicated by the presence of over 1 million Syrian refugees.

The international community is urging both sides to de-escalate the situation and to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire, and the United States has urged both sides to "exercise restraint and avoid any actions that could further escalate the situation."