BEIRUT, Lebanon – Israeli warplanes broke the sound barrier over Beirut and other parts of Lebanon on Tuesday, according to Lebanese security sources and media reports. The sonic booms rattled nerves as tensions between the Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel escalated along the border.
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has paralleled the Gaza war for the past nine months. Although hostilities have largely been confined to border areas, the recent events have raised fears of a wider war. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that hostile warplanes broke the sound barrier at low altitude over Beirut, its suburbs, and other parts of Lebanon. Residents in Beirut reported hearing two loud booms.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military regarding the incident. The ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel is considered the worst since their full-scale war in 2006.
The nine-month-long conflict, which has seen periodic escalations, continues to cause widespread anxiety among the populations of both nations. The breach of the sound barrier by Israeli warplanes is a significant development, highlighting the intensity of the current situation.