Israel launched its largest coordinated airstrikes of the war against Hezbollah on April 8, 2026, hitting more than 100 targets in under 10 minutes. The operation, dubbed "Operation Eternal Darkness," involved 50 fighter jets dropping 160 munitions on command centers, missile launchers, and intelligence sites in Beirut's southern suburbs, central Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern cities including Tyre and Sidon.

Lebanon's health ministry reported at least 182 people killed and 890 wounded in the barrage, marking the deadliest single day in the conflict that began in March. Other estimates from civil defense services put the death toll higher at 254 killed and over 1,100 injured. Hospitals in Beirut overflowed with casualties, and rescuers sifted through rubble in residential and commercial areas.

The strikes came hours after a U.S.-Iran ceasefire took effect, mediated by Pakistan following a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran in late February. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office and U.S. President Donald Trump stated the truce did not cover Hezbollah, calling the Lebanon front a "separate skirmish." Trump told PBS NewsHour that Lebanon was excluded due to the group's actions.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the attacks as an escalation in disregard of international law. Hezbollah paused cross-border fire initially but warned of responses and urged displaced families not to return home yet. Iran halted oil tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation.

The Israeli military described the operation as targeting sites where Hezbollah fighters had blended into civilian areas to protect northern Israeli residents. Over 1.2 million Lebanese have been displaced since the war's start, with Israel issuing evacuation orders for 15% of the country.

Strikes have continued since April 8. On Friday, an Israeli airstrike hit a government building in Nabatieh, killing 13 State Security officers. Earlier attacks targeted Beirut and southern areas, with Hezbollah firing rockets into northern Israel in response.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declared April 8 "Black Wednesday" and a day of mourning, while calling for Lebanon's inclusion in any regional truce. The United Nations condemned the scale of destruction as horrific.