BEIRUT

Israeli aircraft on Friday dropped propaganda leaflets over several areas of the Lebanese capital Beirut, calling for Hezbollah’s disarmament.

The leaflets fell in several districts, including Verdun, Hamra and Ain el-Mreisseh, describing Hezbollah as “Iran’s arm,” while also carrying the slogan: “Lebanon is your decision, not someone else’s.”

On March 2, Hezbollah began attacking Israeli military sites in response to Israeli strikes on Lebanon that have continued since November 2024, including the killing of Iran's then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran.

On the same day, Israel expanded its offensive against Lebanon with airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and other areas in the south and east of the country.

On March 3, Israel also launched a limited ground incursion into southern Lebanon following the start of a joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran on Feb. 28.

Lebanese authorities said Thursday that Israel’s expanded offensive has killed 687 people, wounded 1,774, and displaced about 822,000 residents across the country.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul