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

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

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

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

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