Israeli Warplanes Cause Chaos in Beirut with Sonic Booms Ahead of Hezbollah Leader's Address

Israeli warplanes caused widespre panic in Beirut on Tuesday, breaking sound barrier three times in less than 30 minutes. sonic booms, loudest city has heard in years, sent residents fleeing for cover as planes flew low over Lebanese capital.

Witnesses reported that warplanes were visible from ground, ding to alarm. In Baro district, a Reuters reporter observed patrons at a café scrambling as noise reverberated through area.

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dramatic show of force came just before Hezbollah leer Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was scheduled to speak. Nasrallah's dress was to mark one week since killing of Fu Shukr, a top Hezbollah military commander, in an Israeli strike on sourn suburbs of Beirut. Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate against Israel for attack, which occurred just hours before assassination of Hamas leer Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran—a strike also attributed to Israel but not confirmed by Israeli authorities.

region remains on high alert, with tensions escalating as Iran has also promised a severe response. recent events, including twin killings, have pushed Middle East closer to brink of a wider war, with international community watching closely.