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Israeli Strike Hits Vehicle at Beirut Southern Entrance, State Media Reports

Lebanese soldiers and rescue workers gather near the wreckage of a car struck by an Israeli drone south of Beirut, Lebanon, 03 July 2025. (EPA)
Lebanese soldiers and rescue workers gather near the wreckage of a car struck by an Israeli drone south of Beirut, Lebanon, 03 July 2025. (EPA)
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Israeli Strike Hits Vehicle at Beirut Southern Entrance, State Media Reports

Lebanese soldiers and rescue workers gather near the wreckage of a car struck by an Israeli drone south of Beirut, Lebanon, 03 July 2025. (EPA)
Lebanese soldiers and rescue workers gather near the wreckage of a car struck by an Israeli drone south of Beirut, Lebanon, 03 July 2025. (EPA)

An Israeli drone strike hit a car on a highway in the town of Khaldeh just south of Beirut, killing one person and injuring three others, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported Thursday. 

The Israeli army said in a statement that it had targeted “a saboteur who was involved in arms smuggling and advancing terrorist plots against Israeli citizens and the Israeli army on behalf of Iran’s Quds Force.” 

It was not immediately clear if the target of the strike was the person killed. 

A US-brokered ceasefire deal nominally ended the latest war between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah in November, but Israel has continued to launch near-daily airstrikes in Lebanon since then against what it says are officials and facilities of Hezbollah and other armed groups. Hezbollah has claimed one strike fired across the border since the ceasefire. 

Most of the Israeli strikes have been in southern Lebanon, but Israel has also struck a handful of times in Beirut's southern suburbs since the ceasefire. Thursday's strike was in a congested area close to Lebanon's only commercial airport. 

Nearly 250 people were killed and 609 wounded in Israeli attacks in Lebanon between Nov. 28 — the day after the ceasefire took effect — and the end of June, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. 

Also Thursday, Hezbollah members and supporters held a funeral in Beirut's southern suburbs for the former bodyguard and head of security of Hassan Nasrallah, the group's longtime leader. Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut last year, while his former bodyguard was killed in Iran during last month's Israel-Iran war, along with his son. 

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Baghdad Welcomes Return of US Diplomats

Vehicles belonging to the Iraqi security forces are seen outside the US embassy in Baghdad. Reuters file photo
Vehicles belonging to the Iraqi security forces are seen outside the US embassy in Baghdad. Reuters file photo
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Baghdad Welcomes Return of US Diplomats

Vehicles belonging to the Iraqi security forces are seen outside the US embassy in Baghdad. Reuters file photo
Vehicles belonging to the Iraqi security forces are seen outside the US embassy in Baghdad. Reuters file photo

The US State Department has announced the return of its embassy personnel in Iraq, a move that the Iraqi government said was a sign of resumed regional stability.

“Secretary Rubio decided to end the Ordered Departure Status for the US Mission Iraq personnel, including personnel at the US Embassy Baghdad and US Consulate General Erbil,” said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.

“Personnel who are temporarily relocated outside of Iraq will begin a gradual return to US Embassy Baghdad and Consulate General Erbil,” she said.

“The State Department’s Travel Advisory for Iraq remains at a Level 4, which of course translates to Do Not Travel. We remain strongly committed to advancing our policy priorities in Iraq, strengthening Iraq’s sovereignty, advancing US business interests, and engaging with Iraqi leaders and the Iraqi people. The State Department, US Embassy Baghdad, and Consulate General Erbil will continue to closely monitor and assess, as you might imagine, the security situation across Iraq and the region,” she added.

Iraq welcomed Washington’s decision to return its embassy staff to Baghdad, considering it a positive indicator of the return of stability and the end of a period of tensions.

“The Iraqi government has been keen since the beginning of the crisis to take all necessary measures to protect diplomatic missions, stemming from its commitment to the rule of law and international responsibilities regarding the security of these missions,” Farhad Alaaldin, political advisor to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, told Asharq Al-Awsat.

He said “the return of US diplomatic staff to work at full capacity reflects growing confidence in the security environment in Iraq, and confirms that the country has chosen the path of de-escalation and dialogue. It will continue to play its constructive role in supporting regional stability and avoiding escalation.”